First Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition inaugurated at Expo Centre Sharjah

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI),
Mr. Mohammad Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General, Expo-Center Sharjah, directors of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.

A high-level Italian delegation consisting of Mr. Tullio Di Pietro, Deputy General Director, Ministry of Productive Activity, Mr. Filippo D'andrea, Director of Export, CNA, Mrs Gabriella Degano, Director Export National Confartigianato, Mr. Franco Biagi, President, Artex, and several other important officials also attended the opening ceremony.

The Show, being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, is hosting over 120 Italian companies including several service providers and Government associations. Products that are on display include building materials, gift items, furniture, home furnishings and home decorations, crystals and glasses, lighting equipment, garment and fashion accessories, and food items.

"The UAE is one of the most attractive places in the world today for investment and trade. This is due to its economic stability and political environment," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa at the opening ceremony.

"The Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Show is being held in this region for the first time and I am sure that it will do due justice to its role as a facilitator for enhancing trade activity between the UAE and Italy.

Italy today is known for its artistic and business excellence and this specialised trade Show aims to integrate these two qualities and project it in the region through the display of a wide range of Italian product categories. Ultimately, this exhibition will not only help Italian companies gain a strong foothold in the UAE, but also help them spread to other countries in the Middle East," he added.

Mr. Midfa also said that the exhibition, besides boosting trade ties between the UAE and Italy, will assist in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Besides the display of a wide range of product categories, a major highlight of the first Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition, are the conferences and the seminars that will be held on the sidelines.

A conference titled "Businesswomen, an economic reality" to be held on May 26, will give women from Italy and the UAE a chance to interact and explore the business opportunities that exists in their respective countries. The discussion will include government rules and formalities for starting businesses in both the countries.

A conference on cross-tourism opportunities, sponsored by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, will also be held on the same day.

On May 27, the Pesaro-Urbino Industrial district will be holding a seminar.

The Pesaro-Urbino province lies on 2,893 sq km territory, in the northern part of the Marche region in Italy, and comprises the towns of Pesaro, Colbordolo, Lombaroccio, Monteciccardo, Montellabate, Sant'Angelo in Zizzola and Tavullia.

The region counts 67 towns with 336,000 inhabitants. Pesaro is its chief town with 88,713 inhabitants and represents one of the most important furniture districts in Italy. Urbino, with its architectonic and exceptional masterpieces, is the other important city. In the last twenty years, the economy of Pesaro has experienced very high growth rates, mainly in the manufacturing and service industries. Besides the furniture business, the other important sectors are engineering (Teflon kitchen utensils and aluminum fixtures), textiles and clothing, and fiberglass yachting.

Besides seminars and conferences, live demonstrations will be held on all days of the Show, during which artisans from Florence and Turin will demonstrate mosaic tile making, Tromp L'oeil, antique paper processing, and art of stained glass. The artisans during the demonstration process will share their traditional techniques and skills with the visitors.

"The Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition offers businessmen in the region an opportunity to network with Italian companies and professionals. Not only that, this particular event will be a very good sourcing opportunity in the region for Italian goods that are in much demand all over the world," said Mr. Mohammad Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Italy is currently UAE's fifth biggest trade partner after the USA, Japan, UK and Germany. 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.

At present 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.

"Trade between UAE and Italy is growing at a very steady pace. We expect the number of Italian companies in the UAE to substantially go up in the near future. We also expect cooperation between the two countries to develop in many other fields," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

"The Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition will further accelerate trade between the two countries. Also, we feel that this Show, besides being of immense benefit to the UAE and Italy, will have a very positive impact on other countries in the region, especially from the trade point of view," he added.

The Italian Lifestyle in the Emirates Exhibition is being jointly organised by Italy in the Emirates, ARTEX, and Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Italian Trade Commission in Dubai and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Show 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.