Young GCC population offers major business opportunities to the baby and infant market

Recent statistics indicate that the birth rates for Saudi Arabia and the UAE are growing annually at a rate of 2.8% and 1.61% respectively; compared to 1.1% in the UK and 1.4% in the US.

The favorable facts and figures ensure that the demand will continue to be healthy for toys, baby products, stationery and back to school items in this part of the world. The Middle East Toy Fair will be held from March 23-25, 2009, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

"The market here is still optimistic despite the current economic downturn."

said Elisabeth Brehl, Managing Director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the organizers of the trade exhibition.

"The regional young population continues to grow, and the companies continue to come up with appealing products for babies and infants, thus ensuring that the show will continue to be relevant and have a good potential. People will sacrifice buying other things for their family before they will sacrifice buying toys for their children"

Ms. Brehl said an opportunity exists for big brands in this market. "Research has shown that Arab mothers are willing to pay a premium for big brands when it comes to baby products."

The Middle East Toy Fair, established in 2002, is the region's largest trade exhibition for the child and baby market - from toys and kindergarten supplies to baby products, games, party products, school stationery and many more.

According to the latest research, as reported by Epoc Messe Frankfurt, in 2007 the USA and Europe represented 10% of the kids' population for 63% of the worldwide consumption in toys.
While the Asia and Africa accounted for 81% of the kids' population for only 26% of the worldwide consumption in toys.

With shrinking demand and weak economy in the US and other Western countries brought about by the recession, The USA and Europe toys market are close to reaching a saturation point, conferring prospects to the Middle East and Africa, which offer lucrative options for international toy companies seeking untapped markets.

The countries in the Arabian Peninsula have experienced a rapid population growth, which included almost 59 million people in 2007, with 80% living in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

For this particular industry in the region, the figures mean a high increase in the number of schools and kindergartens as well as all educational supplies. The educational sector is becoming increasingly important and a large amount of money is invested in it.

The most awaited feature of the Middle East Toy Fair is the Toy Fair Awards, which recognizes the latest path-breaking products from eight broad categories. The products awarded and short-listed will be on an exclusive display at the exhibition to the market, and will be commercially launched in the Middle East for the very first time few weeks after the close of the exhibition. The awards ceremony will be held on the evening of March 23, at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort.

Middle East Toy Fair in 2009 will also feature seminars, with main focus on the African continent. Mr. Navad Hassan will speak about "The African market and the UAE's rising re-export trade with emerging markets in Africa", and Mr. Baba Yunus Muhammad will give a presentation on "The need for culturally and socially adaptable toys for the early childhood education system in Africa".