First edition of Italian lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition all set to begin at Expo Centre Sharjah from May 25

Jointly organised by Italy's ARTEX and Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Italian Trade Commission in Dubai, Italy in the Emirates, and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the event is the first of its kind in the Middle East region.

Over 120 Italian companies, service providers, and Government associations will be participating in the event. Items on display will include building materials, gift items, furniture, home furnishings, decoration items, crystals and glass, lighting equipment, food products, garment and fashion accessories.

A high-level Italian delegation consisting of Mr. Gianfranco Caprioli, General Director, Ministry of Productive Activity, Mr. Filippo D'andrea, Director of Export, CNA, Mrs Gabriella Degano, Director Export National Confiartigianato, Mr. Franco Biagi, President, Artex, Mr. Alessandor Ricceri, Director, Artex, Mr. Mauro Marzocchi, President, Italy in the Emirates, Mr. Ernesto Testa, Vice President National Confiartigianato, Mrs. Anna Casalc, Vice President National CNA Women Enterprises, Mrs. Anna Spiotta, Director, Piedmont Region Industry, Mrs. Anna Costa, Director, Piedmont Region Tourism Industry, Mr.Giuliano Lengo, Director, Chambers of Commerce, Piedmont region, Mrs. Ambrogio Brenna, Coordinator of Italian industries and Councilor, Tuscany, and Mr. Stefano Romagnoli, Director, Tuscany region commercial promotions, will be attending the Show's inauguration ceremony.

"The Italian lifestyle in the Emirates is a very specialized trade show that is being held in the region for the first time. The overall objective of this show is to boost trade ties between Italy and the UAE," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

"This Show will be the launching pad for Italian products in the region. Besides being a sourcing opportunity for Italian products that are in demand all over the world, it will be an excellent tool that Italian companies can utilize to establish a foothold in the UAE and then spread to other parts of the Middle East," he added.

Trade between UAE and Italy has been showing very encouraging signals lately. In 2003, Italy's exports to UAE totaled 1.94 billion Euros, an increase of 5.9% over the previous year. Its import from the UAE amounted to 182.2 million Euros, an increase of 51.4% over the previous year.

Along with the steady growth in trade between the two countries, the number of Italian companies having base in the UAE, is also increasing. Currently, there are over 80 Italian companies in the UAE operating in various fields like oil and gas, exploration, civil engineering, energy, banking, airlines, shipping, trading, steel production and refrigeration.

"The need for holding an exhibition like the Italian lifestyle in the Emirates came up as a result of the steady growth in UAE-Italy trade relations coupled with the increase in the number of Italian companies setting up base in UAE," said Mr. Mohammad Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"This event, the first of its kind in the region, will further strengthen the trade and cultural ties between the two countries. Given the interest that this exhibition has succeeded in generating so far, the benefits of this Show will not be reaped by UAE and Italy alone, but by the whole of the Middle East region," he added.

The Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition will be open to trade visitors from 10 am to 1 pm and to both general public and trade visitors from 5 pm to 9 pm.