Italian lifestyle show pulls in thousands of visitors

The show was inaugurated on Tuesday by Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Sharjah Crown Prince And Deputy Ruler.

Over 250 exhibitors are exhibiting Italian products including building materials, gift items, furniture, home furnishings and home decorations, crystals and glass, lighting, food products and fashion accessories.

"It is first time we are participating in a trade show in the UAE. We are very happy with the turnout of the trade and general visitors. We have received more than 100 enquiries and we expect deals from some of the companies after the show," said Angela of Bertozzi.

Confirming that Bertozzi will be participating in the next edition of the show, Angela said: "The UAE is the best place to explore trade opportunities in the GCC countries and other South Asian countries. Our productline
(linen, table cloth, bed cloth etc) was very much in demand by the visitors and many have praised the quality and design of our products."

The show also introduced several lifestyle products from Italy which caught the fancy of both the trade and general visitors alike.

"The response to the show has exceeded our expectations. We have received more than 20 serious enquiries from the show so far," said Giovanni Ruggerone of Serramepal Pensiline In Alluminio.

"Many visitors have told us that our products have the best prices and designs which will give us a competitive edge over other countries' products," he added. He also plans to come back to Sharjah for the next year's show.

The show has also brought into focus the services provided by building contractors, architects and interior decorators.

On Wednesday, a conference titled "International Competitiveness Rules for the Producers and Guarantee for Customers," was organised by the UAE Businessmen's Association and C.N.A. & Confartigianato Women's Association. The live cooking demonstration, being held throughout the show by the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, has been a major crowdpuller.

The exhibition is being organised by the Italian Trade Commission, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE & GCC Representative Office, ARTEX - Italy, and Expo Centre Sharjah and supported by the Ministry of Productive
Activities - Italy, C.N.A.-Italy, Confartigianato-Italy and the Sharjah
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.