International Autumn Trade Fair 2004 reflects enhanced international interest in the region

IATF 2004 will commence with a record participation of over 600 exhibitors, including 37 UAE companies. Around 6,000 overseas trade delegates are expected to attend the five-day event.

Addressing a press conference today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show, said, "The large turnout of overseas trade delegations will energise business and in turn the local economy. The hospitality and local transport sectors will be the biggest beneficiaries. The trade visitor turnout for the show is expected to cross 25,000 this year as compared to 15,236 last year."

"The growth clearly indicates enhanced global interest in the region. It is an acknowledgement of the booming regional business as GCC countries continue to focus on diversifying their economies, laying greater emphasis on trade, manufacturing and services."

The 19th edition of IATF04 comes at a time when the region's non-oil revenues are growing and intra-regional trade within the GCC is on the rise.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Khanna said: "Trading has always been the lifeline of GCC economies. It continues to contribute a significant share to the GDP of these countries."

"This assumes even more significance given the fact that the trade in the non-oil sector has recorded a growth of over five per cent as against a GDP growth of 1.8 per cent," he added.

A key highlight of the December 2004 edition is the 'Hong Kong in Style' trade show. 'Hong Kong in Style' is the largest-ever exhibition of Hong Kong products, with thousands of innovative, award-winning designs on offer. "Many of the 225-plus companies are market leaders in the United States and Europe, and more than two-thirds are first-time exhibitors in the Middle East," Mr. Khanna said.

IATF04 will cover a 15,000-square-metre area in Exhibition Halls 2,3,4, and 5A at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) with 20 per cent increase in exhibitor turnout compared to last year, which saw a participation of 507 exhibitors. The five-day fair will only be open to trade visitors, with the exception of the fifth day, when general public will be allowed entry into the fair.

The fair will showcase a diverse range of consumer goods from 25 countries which will include cosmetics, foodstuff, electronics, household appliances, plastic household products, toys, stationery, electrical handicrafts, carpets, garments, textiles, house wares, kitchenware, sanitary ware, novelties, machinery and machine tools, hardware accessories, dairy products, fashion accessories, watches, clocks, as well as jewellery.

This year, the show will have six national pavilions comprising China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and Mauritius, occupying around 75 per cent of the total space. Participating at the individual level are Croatia, Iran, Italy, Romania and Turkey. A total of 37 exhibitors from UAE are also participating, with Hong Kong (236), China (178), Indonesia (14), Mauritius (13), Bangladesh (12) and India (6).

Hong Kong's participation, marked by `Hong Kong in Style', is a show that features over 225 companies. The show is its first-ever major involvement in a Middle East expo. On display will be an array of stylish and innovative products ranging from electricals and gifts, to time pieces and garments in Hall 4 and 5A.

Mr. Khanna said that the trade between Hong Kong and the Middle East, particularly the UAE, is booming. In 2003, the total regional trade was up by over 19 per cent at US $ 3.17 billion compared to US$ 2.66 billion in 2002.

The growth trend has continued into 2004, with the total trade during the first quarter
(January - April) touching US$ 2 billion. Of this, US$ 1 billion accounted for exports from Hong Kong to the region - reflecting a 8.6 per cent jump over the same period in 2003.

The U.A.E. is the single largest trade partner for Hong Kong in the region with total trade valued at US$ 2.56 billion in 2003, up nearly 27 per cent from US$ 2.26 billion in 2002. Of this, US$ 1.67 billion were exports from Hong Kong, showing a growth of 27 per cent as compared to 2002. In the first quarter of 2004, the total Hong Kong UAE trade was to the tune of US $ 971 million.

China is the second largest group with 178 exhibitors. The Chinese pavilion is being organised under the auspices of CCPIT-Electronics sub-council with the help of CCPIT offices in major provinces. These provinces have been represented at the Autumn Fair since its inception.

Trade between UAE and China is on the rise with exports touching US$ 5.1 billion during 2004 against the overall exports of US$ 5.8 billion in 2003. China exported goods worth US $ 4.43 billion to the UAE, registering an increase of 45.5 per cent. As regards China's investment in the UAE, until the end of 2003, the number of Chinese enterprises registered in the country exceeded 300 with investments totaling US $ 50.1 million.

The participation by Bangladesh has been organised by the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, while that of Indonesia is by the National Agency for Export Development. Mauritius is led by the Mauritius Industrial Development Authority, and India by the National Small Industries Corporation.

Al Fajer has launched an extensive media campaign to attract trade visitors from all over the Middle East and neighbouring regions. A massive advertising and media campaign has been planned in the Gulf, the Middle East, Iran, North Africa and the Sub Continent through e-mail marketing, radio channels, leading newspapers, hoarding, sms and electronic billboards. Invitations are also being extended to trade visitors through a direct mail campaign targeting 50,000 potential visitors, which is already on.