Dubai's non-oil trade grew to Dhs256.2bn in 2008

This welcome news came at a time when thousands of regional experts are expected to conduct business at this year's edition of Materials Handling Middle East Exhibition scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 2, 2009, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

"It is encouraging to note that despite the worldwide economic downturn, Dubai International Airport registered a year-on-year increase of 9% in passenger traffic and 9.38% in freight. The airport handled a total of 37,441,440 passengers and 1,824,991 tons of cargo in 2008, as against 34,348,110 passengers and 1,668,505 tons of freight in 2007,"

said Ms. Elisabeth Brehl, Managing Director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizers of Materials Handling Middle East.

Materials Handling Middle East, now on its fifth year, will have over 250 exhibitors from 35 countries participating. The exhibitors will be from the Logistics, Supply Chain, Freight/Cargo, Automation, and Information & Communication Technology fields.

Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Senior Show Manager of Materials Handling Middle East said, "Dubai's non-oil foreign trade with the rest of the world grew 38% in 2008 to Dhs934.7bn, compared to Dhs678.5bn in 2007 according to figures released by Dubai World's Statistics Department. The growth in trade was Dhs256.2bn."

"This growth is promising for the materials handling business," Mr. Bilikozen noted "as the material handling equipment, an integral part of any plant, warehouse or distribution system, is dependent on the general state of a nation's economy; and the UAE as a regional hub is set to play a significant role in production and consumption of machinery."

Materials Handling Middle East is being held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said, "Materials Handling Middle East is an example of providing innovative solutions to the evolving advancement in transportation and logistics industries, along with several other large scale developments that are being built to mark U.A.E's leadership in these sectors. The transportation and logistics market in the U.A.E is one of the most dynamic in the global business scene today."

Materials Handling Middle East 2009 will provide the exhibitors with the ideal business setting that encourages and initiates business transactions while maximizing and pushing the potential of trade limits.

Key suppliers and decision makers from throughout the world will be present at the show to complement the needs and requirements of the key buyers.