Italy-UAE eye tie-up in sports sector

• 12 leading Italian companies to attend roundtable with UAE sports institutions and firms

• Meet under patronage of the UAE General Authority of Youth & Sports

• Italian Trade Commission-Dubai plays pivotal role in collaboration

The discussions will be held during a roundtable scheduled early next month in Dubai, which will focus on enhancing the UAE-Italy cooperation in the sport sector.

To be held under the patronage of the UAE General Authority of Youth and Sports and organised by the Italian Trade Commission-Dubai, the Trade Promotion Section of Italian Embassy in the UAE, with the collaboration of Assosport, the national association representing business in the Italian sport sector, the roundtable will take place at The Palace Hotel - Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road on December 9th, 2007.

The Secretary General of the UAE General Authority of Youth & Sports, Dubai Sports Council, Department of Tourism & Commercial Marketing (Government of Dubai) and Dubai Autodrome will participate in the meetings in addition to the Italian side that will be represented by the General Manager of Assosport, Ms. Manuela Viel; President of Gymnastic Apparatus for pectoral muscles, Mr. Rodolfo Panatta and Mr. Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia SPA, one of the leading companies in the Sport Sector in Italy.

The roundtable, to be followed by a series of bilateral meetings, will be attended by 12 leading companies from Italy and the top UAE-based companies dealing in sports manufacturing, sportswear, fitness equipment and related fields.

In his comments on the first roundtable and meetings of its kind, Dr. Ferdinando Fiore, the Italian Trade Commissioner-Dubai, said: 'It is a matter of great privilege to bring the leading companies from the Italian sport sector, the country's best kept secrets, to Dubai for the roundtable. The meeting will help boost possible collaboration between Italy and UAE-based companies and reflects UAE's enhanced profile as a major sports hub and a prospective market for Italian sports manufacturers.'

He added: 'We are confident that the Italian expertise will add a lot of value to the UAE sport sector and the meetings will go a long way in identifying definite synergies between the two countries in the sports milieu and in unraveling business opportunities for future. We are thankful for the patronage and support of UAE General Authority of Youth and Sports and Assosport.' Representatives from the Italian Ministry of International Trade will ensure the support given to the sector by the Italian Government.

Apart from exploring new opportunities for the Italian sport sector, the roundtable will also offer an unprecedented chance for the visiting delegation to invest in the UAE market, given by the country's growing importance as the preferred sports hub of the region.

The top Italian companies, which will be present at the roundtable, include Colle S.p.A, Gipsy S.p.A, Bailo S.p.A, Meeting Group S.p.A, JMC S.r.L, Idea S.p.A, Roces S.r.L, Runner S.n.C, E.R. Rovera S.p.A, Fit Interiors S.r.L, and Waterfly S.r.L. and Panatta Sport SRL.

Colle S.p.A, which deals in ski apparel and luxury sportswear, has a long tradition in the field since 1968. The company caters to wide array of customers from design to prototyping with careful attention paid to detail.

Gipsy S.p.A, which deals in sports wear of all age-groups, is one of the leading names in the sector and owns six Scorpion Bay stores. In June 2007, Gypsy took majority control over the Scorpion Bay brand worldwide.

Bailo S.p.A, the leading manufacturer of ski sportswear and specialized mountain clothing, was founded in 1920s. Since 1954, Bailo's excellence in quality has led the company's heritage and tradition to provide an exceptional product to body fit, combined with the highest level of material quality.

Meeting Group S.p.A, one of the renowned fitness and sportswear brands in Italy since 1967, deals in a vast spread of fitness apparels, leisurewear, dancewear and high quality fabrics.

JMC S.r.L. is an Italian brand specialized in sportswear for gym and dance and basic collection. Its 'Le Physique du Role' is a new line based on research and innovation, fashion and elegance and extremely comfortable for active sports.

Idea S.p.A has been creating, making and selling clothing for toddlers and children for over 25 years. The company has achieved its objective of becoming a point of reference for children's clothing across the world. In 2003, the company was reorganized to satisfy the demands of an evolving market developing an Italian distribution network of 30 owned stores.

Roces S.r.L. is a leading name in the world of ski goods, accessories and roller skates and a worldwide leader in the segment of kid and aggressive skates. It is famous for its technologies, patents and attention to detail.

Runner S.n.C, specialized in production and processing of mechanical parts, is a frontrunner company in professional treadmills and other cardio machines for fitness and medical use.

E.R. Rovera S.p.A develops a very wide range of fitness equipment and accessories catering to wide section of society. Products manufactured by the company include table tennis tables and various other sport accessories.

Fit Interiors S.r.L is specialized in the fitness-wellness golf business, manufacturing the lockers and benches across the variety of sports venues.

Waterfly S.r.L is the largest European manufacturer of products for pool, water activities and is the official partner of European Swimming Federation. Waterfly has supplied its products and services for Goodwill Games, Caribbean Games, Commonwealth Games, Middle East Games and CISM Championships as well as the Olympic Games 2004.

Panatta Sport SRL Is a leading company in the field of design and construction of professional Machines and Equipments for Gymnasium fitness centers. Technology, biomechanics and design are the inspiring principles of the company.