Russia eyes International Spring Trade Fair 2004 as launch pad for boosting trade with the Gulf States

Commenting on the Russian initiative to participate for the first time in the history of the fair, a spokesperson of the Russian pavilion said the participants view ISTF 2004 to be a meeting ground between the exhibitors and varied Middle East customers from individual to industrial consumers.

"The Middle Eastern market is a new area of interest for our exhibitors," the spokesperson explained. "For the majority of Russian exhibitors, this is their first public appearance in the UAE and we believe the exposure through the national pavilion will contribute better in promoting Russian goods into these new markets."

The Russian pavilion will display wide range of goods starting from decorative items with high artistic value to drilling equipment for oil and gas exploration.

The five-day fair will begin on May 2, 2004 at the Dubai International Exhibition Center (DIEC) with over 200 exhibitors confirming their participation this year. The fair will have national pavilions from four countries, occupying 60 per cent of the gross exhibition space of Hall 3.

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

Speaking on Russian participation, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services said: "The participation of so many Russian companies is a reflection of confidence in the international event which has been a most successful regional trading platform."

"We are confident that the participation of the Russian companies will contribute significantly to the growth of both the economies," Mr. Khanna said.

The national pavilion of Russia has been organized as per the Russian Federal Decree by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation together with JSC `ExpoCenter.'

The participating companies include JSC NPO Gidromash, FSUE Votkinsky Zavod, JSC Metallist, LLC Kvant-Interkom, Kovrov Electromechanical Plant and Trade House, LLC Khrustainty Zavod, LLC Conceptum, JSC Ural Porcelain, JSC NHP Vladimirskie Uzory and JSC Volgodoski Kombinat Drevesnih Plit.

These companies will showcase a wide range of products including pumps for both industrial and consumer use, metal cutting equipment, milling machines, tools, moulds, equipment for oil and gas-predicting industries, washing machines, dyers, digital switching system hardware and software, telecommunication signaling systems and technologies, locks of various type, crystals, porcelain and chinaware in many diverse consumer goods, wooden souvenirs with unique ethnic ornaments of Vladimir painting etc.