Arab Asia Trade Fair to open at Expo Centre Sharjah on Saturday

The show, which will run till June 7, will feature national pavilions from Hong Kong, Vietnam, Sudan, Libya and Tunisia

Participating as a national pavilion for the first time, Vietnam will bring together 30 companies under the umbrella of Vietnam Trade Centre in Dubai.

'The UAE is an untapped market for Vietnamese products,' said Mr Ta Huu Thinh, Director, Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, ahead of the show.

'We see the UAE as a gateway to the GCC and other regional markets. Our main aim is to introduce Vietnamese products to local, regional and other markets and promote Vietnam as the right place to do business,' he added.

The two-way trade between Vietnam and the UAE has increased from US$30 million in 2000 to US$100 million in 2004. Exports from Vietnam to the UAE have increased from US$22 million in 2000 to US$90 million in 2004.

'Our main export products to the UAE include black pepper, shoes and sandals, rice, textile and garments, aquamarine, handicraft, vegetable & fruits, coffee, tea, cashew nut, wooden furniture, ceramics, plastic products, toys, electronics and other consumer goods,' he added.

The Vietnam Trade Centre in Dubai (Vietrade Dubai) is part of the Ministry of Trade's Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and is responsible for the development of trade relation between Vietnam and the UAE.

The centre provides trade information and consultation for UAE companies interested in setting up business activities in Vietnam and supports Vietnamese companies to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions in the UAE.

'The centre also co-operates with bodies concerned to organise business activities and trips, market research and seminars in Vietnam,' he said.

'In January 2005, the centre, in co-operation with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, successfully organised a seminar on 'Doing business with the UAE' in Hanoi. The seminar was held during the visit of a SCCI delegation to Vietnam from January 23 to 26,' he added.

The 12th Arab Asia Trade Fair is aimed at providing Asian and Middle East companies a solid platform for displaying and selling their merchandise, while offering new and exciting products for the region's cosmopolitan marketplace.

While Asian companies of all scales engaged in a wide range of business activities can tap the potential of growing Middle East markets, firms and trade visitors from the region can source their each and every requirement of Asian products at the show.

The show profile includes food products, garments & textile, imitation jewellery, watches, paper products, toys & games, insulation materials, computers, gift items, automobiles, perfumes, kitchen equipment, water purifiers, furniture, ceramics and safety & security equipment.

The show will be open for trade visitors from 10am to 1pm and for trade and general visitors from 5pm to 9.30pm. Children under 16 are not allowed.