Style Hong Kong in Dubai 2006 ends on high note

Festive season shoppers and trade visitors were drawn to displays put from more than 200 exhibitors, who showcased a wide range of top-quality, innovatively-designed lifestyle products, and to free one-on-one consultations on investment and trading procedures and services offered alongside the event.

Several important deals were concluded and alliances struck at the exhibition, which acted as a business development platform for Hong Kong companies and brands looking to increase penetration in the Middle East's rapidly expanding markets. 'Style Hong Kong in Dubai 2006' constitutes an important event among the 30 world-class international exhibitions the HKTDC organises and the 200 trade fairs in which it participates in worldwide every year.

Jeff Ambjorn, Middle East Director of the HKTDC, said:

"The growing number of visitors, the quantum of sales and business leads generated at 'Style Hong Kong in Dubai 2006' has been very encouraging. The huge response to the innovative, affordable and modern consumer products on display has added to the reputation of Hong Kong companies and has yet again, consolidated the territory's position as an international market place and sourcing centre for upmarket, quality goods."

Naresh T Narwani, Director, M Bux Electronics Limited, which was one of the biggest exhibitors at the show, said: "The UAE market is expanding rapidly, and the exhibition has served as an excellent business platform from which to show our electronic products to regional distributors and retailers. We saw a lot of interest from potential customers from the GCC states, North Africa, East Europe, Iran, Iraq and the Indian Subcontinent."

Visitors to 'Style Hong Kong in Dubai 2006' were treated to displays to elegant semi-precious and costume jewellery; competitively-priced timepieces; gifts and creative premiums; high-performing household appliances; imaginative and educational toys; plush furnishings; value-added consumer electronics; trendy, designer apparel and footwear, among other items.

For the first time, the fair also hosted a special zone on construction materials targeting the growing demand from this sector in many Middle East economies.

Furthering its objective of promoting trade between the UAE, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, the Council also organised 'Hong Kong Delights', a gala evening on December 17 at Dubai's Grand Hyatt Hotel, where xxx business leaders, traders and buyers networked and forged business ties in a relaxed environment. Also added was the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Partnership Mission that brought Hong Kong business persons to Dubai to tap the affluent consumer market for precious jewellery and complete watches in UAE and Saudi Arabia.