Infex 2002 postponed

Infex 2002 was scheduled to be held from May 13-15, 2002.

Exhibitors and visitors from Arab countries as well as overseas requested that Infex 2002 be postponed to enable them to participate in Infex as well as a similar event in Dubai which is now scheduled to take place from May 14-16, said Hussam Hittiny, Manager, Damas Exhibitions & Conferences, organizers of Infex 2002.

In response to their request and after consultations with bankers, exhibitors and industry experts, the organizers decided to postpone Infex 2002 by a week, a decision that has been widely appreciated. Hittiny said the company board also welcomed the idea of postponing Infex 2002 as it would reflect positively on the UAE economy because the International Finance & Business Forum which was earlier scheduled to be held from March 19-17 was postponed to coincide with Infex 2002 from May 13-15, 2002.

In view of directions from the government to develop the exhibitions industry in the UAE and in the overall interests to avoid two similar exhibitions taking place simultaneously in one country, we decided to postpone Infex, 2002 he said.

Hittiny reiterated that despite all preparations and finalization of schedules, the organizers decided to postpone Infex 2002 by a week. Due to the postponement, exhibitors and visitors can now attend both events, the one in Dubai as well as Infex 2002 and secure the maximum benefit.

In the light of such happenings, Hittiny underscored the importance and urgent need to establish an official committee in the UAE to coordinate and arrange the dates of international events such as exhibitions and conferences in order to avoid a clashing of events leading to inconveniences caused to all involved in the event.

Such a committee should comprise representatives from the Chambers of Commerce & Industry and international exhibition centers.

The committee, Hittiny said, should be objective and fair in allocating dates for events in the UAE. He also pointed out that at least five national pavilions will be housed at Infex 2002 along with several financial institutions, banks and other organizations who have confirmed participation.

The central aim of Infex 2002 is to highlight the investment opportunities available in the Arab world and chalk out strategies of attracting back Arab investments that have started returning home.