32 Turkish companies confirm participation in five-day International Autumn Trade Fair 2004

Like in the previous years, Turkey will stage a strong presence as a national pavilion, under the auspices of IGEME - the export promotion body of Turkey, and IIB-General Secretariat of Istanbul Exporters Union, showcasing a range of diverse consumer products starting from kitchen goods to high tech machinery.

Mrs. Sebla Aker, Head of Trade Fairs Department, IGME said: "We have been experiencing a whopping surge in trade between the UAE and Turkey over the last four years. Two-way trade has been significantly better in 2003 with the first nine months of the year notching up trade worth US$568 million compared to US$538 million in 2002 full year."

She said in 2003 between January and September, Turkey's exports to the UAE were to the tune of US$ 468 million against an import of US$ 100 million from the UAE.

"As the year-on-year statistics reveals Turkey's export to the UAE increased from US$ 271.6 million in 1998 to US$ 538 million in 2002," Mrs. Aker said.

Organized by the Dubai-based Al Fajer Information and Services, the IATF04 is seen as a unique venue to forge new alliances and expand businesses contributing to the economy of the UAE.

Commenting on Turkey's participation in the fair, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services said: "Turkey enjoys historical, cultural and traditional ties with the UAE. Trade between the two countries is poised to grow further, and over the years Turkish companies are convinced of the benefits of IATF in catalyzing trade growth."

Quoting statistics published by the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), Mr. Khanna said that Turkey has a growing trade relationship with Dubai. "Total two-way trade between Dubai and Turkey was the tune of US$ 355 million in 2002 out of which US$ 338.56 million were exports to Dubai from Turkey and US$16.45 million import from Dubai," he added.

The 2004 edition of IATF04 will open with 10 per cent increase in exhibitor turnout compared to the previous year. The fair venue will be spread over a 10,000 square metres in Exhibition Halls 1 and 2 at DIEC.

The Turkish pavilion will be spread over 360 square metres displaying various kinds of products including foods stuffs like pulse, legumes, canned food, kitchen products, furniture and furniture products, Turkish handicraft, stainless steel kitchenware, aluminium foils, stretch films, advertising boards, ceramic tableware, crystals, electrical equipment, lighting fixtures, cosmetics, electrical cables, generators etc.

Mrs. Aker said the Turkish national pavilion, for the seventh straight year, will further stimulate an environment of enhancing co-operation between companies from the UAE and Turkey and significantly contribute in strengthening commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

IATF04 has been growing with increased turnout of visitors since its inception. The 18th edition of the annual fair will have a participation of over 525 exhibitors from 25 countries compared to 471 exhibitors from 23 countries in the previous year. It is expected that the number of visitors to the fair this year will surpass 15,000 compared to 14,496 in the previous edition.