Al-Futtaim Group announces key sponsorship of Dubai Shopping Festival 2004

The Dubai Shopping Festival has become an integral part of the Al-Futtaim Group's marketing calendar, which sees the event as the perfect opportunity to further enhance its position as the leading retail and trading group in the region.

As part of the Group's support for DSF 2004, Dubai Festival City, an Al-Futtaim development, will again act as host of the Global Village, the spectacular month-long family entertainment event at the heart of DSF.

A partnership between DSF and Al-Futtaim, the Global Village not only gives the Dubai Shopping Festival its international essence, but has, over the years, become an integral part of the overall event. It is the perfect setting for Dubai's diverse international community to come together, displaying their culture and heritage through exhibitions of traditional handicrafts, clothing, music and dance. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, over 3 million visitors experienced the event in 2003.

Omar Al Futtaim, Chief Executive Officer, Al-Futtaim Group, commented, "Dubai has become the undisputed shopping capital of the Middle East. DSF gives us the ideal opportunity to promote and enhance the image of our brands, products and services, while reinforcing the value that the Al-Futtaim Group places on its customers through a wide choice of added value offers and promotions".

"Our aim is to consistently enhance customer relationships and loyalty, and DSF helps us in communicating that message, by offering a range of the world's best products at the best prices. We are extremely committed to our customers and our lead role in DSF 2004 will help us to reiterate this".

The development of Dubai continues at a phenomenal rate, and DSF has kept up the pace as has the Al-Futtaim Group. The Shopping Festival, year on year, offers customers more with excellent brands and products at excellent prices, making the Festival a local and global retail success.

One of the most successful business houses in the Gulf region, the Al-Futtaim Group brings the world's best brands to the Middle East, including: Panasonic, Sanyo, Toshiba, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Chrysler, Jeep, Marks & Spencer, Toys 'R' Us, IKEA, ACE, Raymond Weil and Seiko. The Group also has an extensive, highly advanced retail presence throughout the region.