International Autumn Trade Fair 2004 reflects buoyancy in regional trade with 10 per cent growth

Announcing the details of IATF04, a senior official of the Dubai-based leading exhibition organizer, Al Fajer Information and Services, today said the exhibition, ranked as one of the most significant trade fairs in the region, will occupy 10,000 square metres of space in Exhibition Halls 1 and 2 at DIEC.

Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services said: "Over the years, the IATF has grown to an acknowledged regional buyer-seller meeting ground for the consumer goods segment. The exhibition has grown in stature, size and visitor turnout consecutively ever since it began in line with the growth of the regional and the UAE market."

He said over 525 exhibitors from 25 countries have confirmed participation for IATF04, compared to last year's 471 exhibitors from 23 countries. "We expect trade visitor turnout to cross 15,000 at this year's show compared to 14,496 last year," Mr. Khanna said.

The show which will be a veritable showcase of a diverse range of consumer goods will be open to the general public on last day evening. Last year over 7,500 general public visitors came to IATF.

"With proven track record of reaching a broader segment of regional consumers, the edition of this year's trade fair is all set to record a higher number of business deals," Mr. Khanna said, adding that most exhibitors at the last year's show have made a comeback this year with new products emphasizing the effectiveness and usefulness of the fair as a regional showcase and launch pad for consumer goods.

The fair will showcase a wide range of products including cosmetics, foodstuff, electronics, household appliances, plastic household products, toys, stationery, electrical, handicrafts, carpets, garments, textiles, house wares, kitchenware, sanitary ware, novelties, machinery and machine tools, hardware accessories as well as diary products.

Apart from the exhibitors, this year's show will also include several trade delegations, and Country Pavilions of eight countries which will occupy some 75 per cent of the total exhibition space.

The national pavilions include 210 companies from China, 47 from Iran, 40 from Hong Kong, 32 from Turkey, 32 from Bangladesh, 25 from Indonesia, 17 from India and 15 from first-time participant Mauritius. The Mauritius contingent is sponsored by Mauritius Industrial Development Authority.

Like in previous years, China will mark a strong presence at the show with the maximum number of participants. The Chinese pavilion is being organized under the auspices of CCPIT Electronics Sub Council with the help of CCPIT offices in provinces including, Ningbo, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou. These provinces have been attending IATF regularly since its beginning.

The second largest participant of the fair is Iran, participating for the seventh consecutive year. The Iranian companies are taking part in the show under the umbrella of Iran International Exhibitions Co., a subsidiary of the Export Promotion Center of Iran.

Turkey, participating for the eighth consecutive year, is led by the Export Promotion Center of Turkey (IGEME). Other countries staging a strong presence through exhibitors include Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Algeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Cyprus and the UAE.

With the event drawing nearer, Al Fajer has launched a broad media campaign to attract trade visitors from all over the Middle East and neighboring regions.

"A massive advertising and media campaign is being rolled out in the Gulf, the Middle East, Iran, North Africa and the Sub Continent through e-mail marketing, radio channels, leading newspapers, hoarding, SMS and electronic billboards," said Mr. Khanna. He said invitations are also being extended to trade visitors through a direct mail campaign targeting 50,000 potential visitors.