14 Countries at corporate gifts show

The battle for market share will be stepped up at Premium 2003, the 8th international trade fair for incentives, giftware, corporate gifts, festive decorations and stationery. The show features over 60 exhibitors with national pavilions from Taiwan and China, which have doubled in size from last year.

"The world-wide industry is valued at US $27 billion, according to a recent SITE Foundation report," said Justin Boutros, Managing Director, Channels Exhibitions, which organises the annual Premium event. "Given the gift-giving nature of the Middle East, the region wide spread of corporate culture and the influx of multi-national groups into the region, particularly Dubai, it is not hard to see why this regions is a sizeable slice of the world-wide market."

"Key indicators of the viability of this sector have come with the news that both Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue have now launched their own corporate gift and incentive divisions. These major international retailers have accepted that corporate gifts are valuable tools in leveraging loyalty, incentivising and motivating both staff and customers."

20% of the exhibitors at Premium 2003, which this year is being staged at the Airport Expo Dubai from October 12-14, are brand new to this region.

"These offer unparalleled opportunities to source new products and services," said Boutros. "This is in addition to the many regular exhibitors who are using the show to launch new ranges. "Channels is looking to beat last year's record visitor turnout of incentive buyers.

"The 2002 show attracted 4,879 trade and professional visitors from 38 countries and with the strengthening of the corporate sector throughout the region, we are confident we can top that this year," said Boutros.