Private Label Middle East to grow by 30 per cent

The response to the PLME, which ends its run at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) tonight (Thursday), has been tremendous and exhibitors have given a thumbs up to the show.

"We had a very good reaction from visitors who have come from all over the region including countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, India and even Indonesia," said Adam Reinhard, Export Manager, Mincer Mona Lisa Co. Poland, a company manufacturing cosmetics and packaging for cosmetic products.

"It has been a great show for us and we will definitely be back next year."

Greek Company Emman. P. Papaioannou, which exports Greek olives and olive oils expects a 50% show growth for next year.

"We expect to do business with more than 60% of the visitors to our stand," said Cathrine Papaioannou, Managing Director of the company.

Indian Daxal Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd, a company that manufactures toothpastes and cosmetics, forecast a total business of US$ 300,000 - 400,000 from the GCC.

"The re-export market which covers a wide footprint from the Iran, Iraq, the CIS countries and Africa are also key markets we are interested in," said the company's Managing Director, Prashant Desai.

"We had a good show and expect to be back next year as well."

Meanwhile early visitor statistics showed that visitors to the show spanned all six continents and came from over 46 countries from Canada to Colombia, Algeria to Gambia, Austria to the UK, Iran to Malaysia, China and Russia.

"This response demonstrates the immense potential that the sector holds as regional retail markets mature. It has also justified our decision to stage this show and facilitate the growth of the industry sector," said Justin Boutros, Managing Director, Channels Exhibitions.

"PLME 2005 will be held from September 17 - 19 at the DIEC and we have already received requests for country pavilions from four countries including Germany, Poland, Greece and Turkey."

PLME is held under the patronage of the Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai.