Hong Kong stages strong presence with 50 pc rise in participation in International Autumn Trade Fair 2004

The Hong Kong pavilion, the second largest participant, will showcase products of 41 companies in the fair, which will run during January 10-14 2004 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC).

The Hong Kong pavilion, under the auspices of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), for the eighth straight year will span a space of 288 square meters this year, comprising 28 companies while another 13 companies will participate at individual level occupying a space of 127 square meters increasing the total pavilion size to 415 square meters.

Mr. Ali Fakha, Marketing Manager of HKDTC in Dubai said that Hong Kong's participation for the eighth straight year in a row signifies the popularity and importance of the event that has helped significantly in boosting two-way trade between the Hong Kong and the UAE.

"Despite global slowdown of economies, two-way trade between Hong Kong and the UAE is on the rise posting US$128 million increase in the first 10 months of the current year to US$2.37 billion," Mr. Fakha said.

He said for the past four years trade between both the countries had been witnessing consistent growth both in terms of imports as well as exports. "In year 2000, Hong Kong exported goods worth US$1.05 billion to the UAE which grew to US$1.12 billion in 2001, US$1.31 billion in 2002 and US$1.38 billion in the first 10 months of the current year."

"On the import side, Hong Kong imported goods worth US$522 million in 2000, which increased to US$684 million in 2001, US$938 million in 2002 and US$997 million in the first 10 months of 2003," Mr. Fakha said.

He said that with stronger participation in the fair this year, trade is poised to grow further making significant contribution to the growth of both the economies.

The Hong Kong pavilion at IATF04 will feature a wide range of consumer electronic products including engines and motors, watches and clocks, electrical appliances, telecommunications equipment and parts, non-electric and parts, computer accessories, office machines and parts etc.

Organized by the Dubai-based Al Fajer Information and Services, the IATF 04 is regarded to be a unique venue for companies to forge new alliances and expand trade with the UAE.

On Hong Kong's participation at the fair, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services said trade between Hong Kong and Dubai was to the tune of US$348.16 million with Hong Kong exporting US$337.7 million worth of goods to Dubai against an import of US$10.46 million in 2002, according to Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) statistics.

He said there is further room for increasing trade volume as there is huge potential given the strategic location of both the countries. "Dubai has always benefited from its strategic location at the crossroads of trade and commerce between East and West while Hong Kong is at a prime location with easy access to all major business and industrial cities in the Asia-Pacific region," Mr. Khanna said.

IATF 04 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.