HE Al Mansouri inaugurates 19th Asian Stamp Exhibition

Featuring over 600 stands from 30 Asian countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan and India, the exhibition is open to stamp collectors, stamp dealers and representatives from the global postal sector.

Organized jointly by the Emirates Post and the Emirates Philatelic Association (EPA), the exhibition will run until 16 November, and is held on the sidelines of the United Postal Union (UPU) Conference 2006.

HE Al Mansouri said, "Postal services started in the UAE in 1908, when Dubai was the centre for dispatching outgoing mail by sea to different destinations. Stamps are, therefore, a true testimony of the UAE's long history, dating back to almost a century.

"The postal sector is one of the most developed industries in the UAE, offering integrated services that reflect global standards and comply with the latest technologies. The growth of trade activities between Dubai and the rest of the world has been a pivotal element of the postal sector's progress."

The Asian Stamp Exhibition features thematic stands on various subjects including sports, literature and the environment. It also offers a unique chance for beginners to display their stamp collections on individual stands.

Abdulla Al Daboos, Director General of Emirates Post, said, "It gives us great pride to host the Asian Stamp Exhibition, for the first time in an Arab country. The UAE has proven its success in hosting many world-class events, and this exhibition is yet another tribute to our success."

He added the Asian Stamp Exhibition aims to encourage the hobby of stamp collecting for its historical significance.

Abdulla M.T. Khoury, President of the Emirates Philatelic Association, the sponsor of the event, said the exhibition would include an auction for stamps on heritage and history.

To commemorate the event, Emirates Post released a special stamp earlier this year featuring offset embossing with gold foil.

The 12th GCC Stamp Exhibition was also launched simultaneously, at the same venue, with participants from the six Gulf countries. The previous GCC Stamp Exhibition was held in Qatar.