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Expo Centre Sharjah sees double revenues in 5 years

The expo centre will open its new exhibition venue in Khorfakkan this year and a hotel close to the expo centre by 2012.

“We will be looking at healthcare, sports and food industry in addition to more focus on solo exhibitions in our five-year plan,” Al Midfa told Khaleej Times.

Without elaborating Al Midfa said that these are the sectors the centre is focusing for around 12 new exhibitions.

Established in 1977, Expo Centre Sharjah is the premier exhibition facility in the UAE that acts as a gateway to the entire Middle East and CIS regions and the Subcontinent. It is the first established trade fair centre in the country and is considered a pioneer in its field in the Gulf region.

“Forecast will be difficult for 2010, but I believe the target we fixed will be achieved and it will be better than last year. Last year was most difficult year for everybody,” Al Midfa said.

In September 2002, sensing the technological and increasing space demands of its trade partners and customers, Expo Centre Sharjah moved to its present location. It spreads across 128,000 square metres.

He said, “We are growing steadily and achieving growth every year. We recorded five to 10 per cent growth in revenue last year despite tough market conditions as all our exhibitions are doing extremely well and growing.”

Al Midfa said the 28^th Mideast Watch and Jewellery Show, which concluded on April 3, attracted over 50,000 visitors in five days. The show recorded a 30 per cent growth and participated by over 400 exhibitors.

Expo Centre Sharjah is a semi-government organisation and run under the umbrella of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Over the years, the Centre has become one of the region’s most popular trade exhibition venues, and hosts some of the top-of-the-range, highly focused B2B and B2C shows.

The centre hosts 20 exhibitions every year. It organises 80 per cent of the total fairs while the remaining 20 per cent by outside companies. Although its main source of earning is exhibition income, it generates revenues through rent and hosting wedding parties.

Khorfakkan venue

Al Midfa said the facility will cater the demand of Khorfakkan, Fujairah and Dibba.

“We are expecting it will be completed this year and there will be a small exhibition alongside the opening of the venue.”

He said, “We are looking at adding a hotel close to the expo centre. It was planned earlier, but we postpone after the global economic crisis.

The director general said, “We did not cancel the project but postpone because the crisis changed real estate market and we don’t want to pay high price.” The project will take around 24 to 36 months, he added. 
— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com