SCCI Chairman guest of honour at opening ceremony of Expo Riva Schuh in Italy

Others present at the ceremony included H.E. Mr. Claudio Molinari, Mayor of Riva Del Garda, H.E. Mr. Marco Benedetti, Italian Provincial Minister for Industry, and Mr. M. Malfer, President of Riva del Garda FiereCongressi.

The four-day Expo Riva Schuh is an international bi-annual trade show dedicated to the footwear industry. It represents one of the major international crossroads in footwear business for volume product in the medium-price bracket, with a retail sale price of between 75 and 100 euros.

The ongoing edition of the show features over 1,100 exhibitors of which 731 are from 35 countries. The 2007/2008 collections for autumn and winter are on display.

Mr. Midfa said on the occasion that the importance of the show was evident from its record participation of footwear manufacturers and attendance of trade buyers from across the globe.

'The hosting of an event of such magnitude on the shores of one of Europe's most enchanting lakes, is highly impressive,' said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

'Besides being one of the world's most important volume footwear trade shows, Expo Riva Schuh provides a glimpse in to the some of seasons latest and most sought after collections. The show, given the profile, no doubt attracts key decision makers and professionals from across the global shoe industry and is an ideal networking opportunity,' he added.

Mr. Midfa further said that the Middle East region, given the accelerated growth that it was currently experiencing, was ideal for hosting events like Expo Riva Schuh.

'The Middle East region, as many of you may already be aware, is currently booming and one of the fastest growth areas in the world,' said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

'Consumer demand and consumption is at an all time high. Within the region, the UAE has been at the forefront in terms of political and economic reforms. It is my belief that the UAE, particularly Sharjah, with its strategic geographic location and impressive infrastructure, is ideal for hosting an event like Expo Riva Schuh.

For an international trade event of Expo Riva Schuh's stature, the emirate offers Expo Centre Sharjah, a state of the art 128,000 square metres exhibitions and conference facility that not only provides access to the Middle East market but also to those of the Indian sub-continent and the CIS countries. Landscaped and strategically located, the Centre has earned the reputation of being the Middle East's most integrated exhibition hub,' he said.

Expo Riva Schuh could be a major step forward towards opening up of huge trade opportunities for the global footwear industry in the Middle East, he added.

Riva del Garda Fierecongressi Spa has been the main exhibition and conference centre in Trentino for over ten years. Trentino is a mountainous province of Italy.