International Spring Trade Fair 2004 set to open on May 2 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre

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The fair, which is widely regarded to be a unique venue for fostering regional trade, will have national pavilions from four countries this year, occupying 60 per cent of the gross exhibition space of Hall 3.

Announcing details of the fair, a senior official of Al Fajer said that like in the previous years, China will lead the show with the largest contingent of more than 75 participants followed by the first-time participants Russia with 20 exhibitors, 10 from Morocco and 10 from Iran.

Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services said: 'Over the past few years, the International Spring Trade Fair has earned the reputation of being the most successful regional trading platform and this year also we are confident of living up to the tradition by having a successful show.'

ISTF 2004 this year will showcase a whole range of consumer goods ranging from jewellery, clothing, electronics, foodstuff, and kitchen wares to automobile accessories and tools.

'We believe that like in the previous years, the ISTF 2004 will contribute significantly in fostering regional trade by providing the ideal business-to-business meeting grounds,' said Mr. Khanna.

He said preparations are afoot for the show which is expected to record the highest turnout of trade visitors given the upbeat economic conditions prevailing in the Gulf region and its neighbouring economies.

In the previous edition, the fair drew some 30,137 visitors including 8,137 trade visitors and 22,000 general visitors. 'This year we expect the number of trade visitors to cross 10,000 mark and 25,000 for general visitors,' Mr. Khanna said.

The countries showcasing their products and services at individual levels include five each from Hong Kong, Turkey, Italy, India, four from Indonesia and Malaysia. Some 20 exhibitors from the UAE have also confirmed participation reflecting the confidence of the local companies in the fair.

The Chinese exhibitors are participating under the auspices of CCPIT-Hangzhou Sub-Council, China Orient International Exhibition Co. Ltd and China National Electronics. These groups have been active in organizing participation of Chinese companies in the Spring and Autumn Fairs for more than a decade.

The national pavilion of the first-time participant Russia is organized as per the Russian Federal Decree by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation together with JSC 'ExpoCenter.'

Iran is taking part in the show under the auspices of the Iran International Exhibition Co. which is a subsidiary of the Export Promotion Center of Iran. Iran is a regular participant in the Autumn fair but making their first appearance in the Spring fair.

The participation of Morocco, also for the first time, is organized by the Maison De L'Artisan under the banner of the Ministry of Trade and Industries. The association primarily looks after promoting trade and industries in sectors like handicraft, woodworks etc.

With a view to attracting greater number of trade visitors this year, Al Fajer has launched a massive media campaign to promote the show in the Middle East which includes advertising in the print and electronic media covering the region of Gulf, Middle East, Iran, North Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent.