29th edition of International Spring Trade Fair 2004 opens at Dubai International Exhibition Centre

Commenting on the significance of ISTF 2004, the five-day fair at Hall Number 3 of the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC), a senior spokesperson of Al Fajer Information Services, organizers of the fair, said that over the years the show has been a significant event on Dubai's calendar of trade expos and this year it is being held at a time when Dubai's trade is on a boom contributing significantly to the GDP growth rate.

Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information Services said: "This year's show is certain to throw open an array of fruitful trade avenues to the participants because regional trade has certainly picked up pace. The positive ambience is particularly true of Dubai where according to a forecast by the Department of Economic Development, Dubai, the GDP is expected to touch AED76 billion up from AED 73.3 billion at the end of 2003."

Mr. Khanna said the growth in Dubai's economy is also a direct indicator of the positive economic climate of the countries in the region since the Emirate is the region's trading hub. "The re-export and export sectors of Dubai are major contributors to Dubai's revenue sources and according to a recent report by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), over the last five years beginning 1998, the total combined value of these sectors were up 98 per cent to AED58 billion by the end of 2003."

Quoting DCCI statistics, he further said: "Dubai's re-exports cover almost all the countries in the region and beyond, with Iran topping the list followed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, India and Libya and this amply proves the significance of trade shows like ISTF 2004."

This year, over 200 exhibitors will showcase their products at ISTF2004 including national pavilions of four countries occupying 60 per cent of the gross exhibition space. Like in the previous years, China leads 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.

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

Dubai-based Al Fajer Information and Services has been organizing the fair over the past 28 years and the show is widely acclaimed as a premier trade preview of consumer goods for the discerning Middle East consumer goods market of over US$200 billion.

"Every year, the Spring Fair attracts 10,000 trade visitors on an average and generates spot business orders worth millions of US dollars, an achievement that is a testimonial to the event's role of being an effective springboard to penetrate the fast growing consumer markets of the region," Mr. Khanna said.

He said the event offers huge opportunities to businesses willing to forge and renew trade partnerships and tap new markets as Dubai is strategically positioned as the distribution hub for the buoyant markets of the Gulf.

The ISTF 2004 this year will showcase a whole range of consumer goods like jewellery, clothing, electronics, foodstuff, kitchen wares, 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.

The fair witnessed turnout of some 30,137 visitors in the previous show which is expected to reach 35,000 this year.