Gulf Beauty 2003 will feature 350 exhibitors from 30 countries

Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the regional affiliate of Messe Frankfurt, leading global trade fair organizers, is organizing the biggest beauty industry event in the Middle East. Gulf Beauty will benefit from Messe Frankfurt's expertise in conducting such exhibitions (Beauty World in Frankfurt and in Japan), the company's global network as well as from Epoc Messe Frankfurt's vast experience in the Middle East region with regards to local markets and target visitor groups.

'The beauty industry is one of the fastest growing in the region due to the new generation's demand for quality beauty and body care products,' said Geoff Dickinson, managing partner, Epoc Messe Frankfurt. 'There is a growing interest in fashion, health and beauty not only among women, but also among men. Cultural diversity is also a contributing factor. The buoyant Middle East beauty market is therefore courted by some of the biggest names in the industry. This has been reflected in the rapid growth of the Gulf Beauty show, which will feature 350 exhibitors from 30 countries this year besides a large number of national pavilions. In 2002 the show attracted 340 exhibitors from 27 countries, including 11 officially backed national pavilions.'

Gulf Beauty 2002 recorded a 38 per cent increase in exhibitors and a 4 per cent rise in professional visitors from 67 countries. The visitor mix featured retailers, salon and spa owners, professional beauticians, distributors, agents and exporters.

'The remarkable changes in lifestyles in the Middle East and the status of Dubai as a major commercial hub in the region has positioned Gulf Beauty as an international showcase for some of the world's best and latest beauty and body care products,' said Dickinson. 'We are geared to add value to the show through our global experience of organizing trade fairs, and provide a springboard for business growth for suppliers from across the globe by bringing them face to face with manufacturers and trade visitors. Gulf Beauty has certainly become the meeting point for the global beauty industry.'

'What gives Gulf Beauty the edge is the fact that Dubai is the region's main export-re-export center. Dubai commands more than 80 per cent of all imports of beauty products into the UAE. Buyers come from all over the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the CIS republics, the Far East and Europe. It has thus become the ideal platform for international suppliers to build sustainable long-term businesses in the region,' added Dickinson.

According to Daniela Rose, Project Manager, Gulf Beauty 2003, the show will have at least 11 national pavilions besides a large number of individual exhibitors. 'This year's show will also witness a number of product launches which includes a multifunctional instrument with several clip-on pedicure implements that won the Red Dot Design Award in 2003; a new range of active-ingredient cosmetics for skin treatment besides oriental and fine fragrances.'

'Gulf Beauty 2003 is poised to break all records in terms of exhibitor and visitor numbers and also in the range of products,' said Daniela. 'This year, for the first time, we have added a section on natural health and beauty products in response to a significant shift in market demand and another on packaging solutions to address the needs of manufacturers, product developers and major retailers, ' she added.