Luxury brands to take centre stage at 5th Middle East Exclusive Expo

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman of Emirates Airline, the exhibition will be the biggest in its history. Over 120 companies from around the globe are expected to participate in the exhibition, to be held between December 4 and 6 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

The event will showcase among other things a vast selection of high fashion jewellery and accessories to premium cigars, watches, gourmet and fine foods, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, besides designer luggage items and electronic gadgets.

Channels Exhibitions, organisers of the show, said the MEE Exhibition will provide the perfect business platform for the region's rapidly expanding luxury goods and duty free industry. According to industry reports, the Middle East represents one of the fastest growing regions for the duty free and luxury goods business, which has seen the sales treble in the past decade.

The Middle East is poised for another major growth spurt as multi-billion dollar investments in airports and related infrastructure come into effect. According to Swedish industry analyst group Generation DataBank, in Product Group segment, luxury goods have recorded a 6% year-on-year growth across the region in 2006 compared to the previous year. In the segment, luxury goods sales spurted from $9773m in 2005 to $10357m in 2006.

According to Verdict Research - a UK-based research company, spending on luxury branded products is set to reach $450bn globally by 2012 as the rate of growth in the sector is expected to double over the next five years.

Justin Boutros, Managing Director of Channels Exhibitions, said:

"This is an exciting time for the luxury goods industry and the duty free segment and the Middle East Exclusive exhibition offer a vital platform for industry players to network and discuss future trends. This year has seen excellent results across the Greater Middle East market, which will see an average growth of 12.2% per annum over next five years in the duty free and travel retail sales."

He added: "With such an impressive growth potential, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between the suppliers and the retail trade. The growth of the luxury goods business throughout the Middle East is expected to outperform the average global growth and it is clear to see that an extremely positive future beckons."

Significantly, many companies will be exhibiting products - ranging from Paris Hilton Fragrance to premier destination products previewed in Cannes a month ago - for the first time at the exhibition.

This year, Middle East Exclusive Exhibition will also form part of the region's annual Duty Free Week, which provides buyers and suppliers alike with an unrivalled opportunity to network professionally and socially. The week starts on November 30 and continues until December 1, with the Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) conference.

It will be followed by the Dubai Duty Free World Cup Golf Tournament, scheduled to take place over two championship courses. The tournament, to be held on December 2 and 3, 2007, is one of the most awaited golf tournaments within the Duty Free Industry.