Launch edition of furniture show opens at Expo Centre Sharjah

It was opened by Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and will run until September 12.

Present at the opening ceremony Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Adviser to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah, and officials of various government departments.

"Through Homes Middle East 2009, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Expo Centre are trying to bring together leading players in this field on a cost-effective platform and giving them access to prospective buyers,"

said Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

Several leading local and regional names in the furniture and furnishing business are taking part in the show, which has thrown open a good opportunity for residents to buy quality furniture products at affordable prices.

The furniture sector in the UAE is set to see one of the world's highest growth rates, reaching double-digits, even though demand has been curtailed by the prevailing economic slump. This was revealed in a straw poll of exhibitors who are taking part in the show.

Key players in the furniture business are looking forward to better times as most construction works in the country are going on schedule. Residential and office space that is going to hit the local market in the near future is huge. These properties will have to be furnished and fitted-out and this is going to drive sales in a big way for the sector, they said.

Homes Middle East is being held alongside the Ramadan Fair.

"Homes Middle East has the advantage of being held alongside the popular Ramadan Fair, which will ensure large exposure and visitor turnout to the show," said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

Homes Middle East will showcase all types of home, office and outdoor furniture, furnishings & fabrics, curtains & rods, fittings & accessories, lighting & lamps, rugs, carpet floor & wall coverings, paints, mattress & base, artwork & framing, mirrors & frames, kitchen cabinets & equipment and objets d'art.

"The show is fully supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, thus enabling exhibitors to offer attractive prices on furniture. This would also increase consumer confidence and generate an upsurge in furniture buying during this festive season," said Fasahat Ali Khan.

There are several factors that will spur sales at the fair, feel industry watchers. Exhibitors are sure to benefit from the distinctive advantage of a seasonal surge in sales, visitor traffic from the concurrent Ramadan Fair, demand from shifting tenants (who take advantage of lower rents), emerging satellite towns and property buyers, frequent refurbishments and demand from neighbouring emirates and GCC states.

The exhibitor profile of the show covers furniture manufactures, interior decorators, importers and exporters, wholesalers, distributors and retailers, among others.

On the visitor side, the show will target families, homeowners, individuals, restaurant and hotels owners, institutions, companies, consultants, interior decorators, students and designers.

Homes Middle East 2009 is organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.