Middle East gift culture boosts Premium 2005 expo

The UK and USA are represented for the first time along with exhibitors from countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, USA, Taiwan, Germany, India, Turkey, China, Philippines along with major suppliers and agents from the UAE.

"Businesses participating range from leading international brands to well-known UAE and Middle East businesses," says Justin Boutros, managing director of organisers Channels Exhibitions.

"Many have attended the show every year since its launch and we are also welcoming a considerable number of first-timers."

Premium 2005 will showcase a diversity of products, from high quality corporate stationery and corporate gifts, to high value trophies, pens, watches, and handicrafts, as well as novelty giftware and products for festive occasions.

Boutros attributes the success of the show to strong commercial and cultural factors in the Middle East that support a dynamic regional market for gifts, premiums and stationery.

"The tradition of exchanging gifts is so much a part of everyday commercial life that for many companies, gifts have become an important part of their internal team management and external marketing campaigns," he commented.

"Being ideally located in vibrant Dubai, the Middle East's commercial and trading hub, Premium 2005 gives exhibitors the best possible access to these dynamic regional markets, enabling them to meet local end-users and corporate clients, as well as regional distributor agents and potential business partners from across the Middle East, the Asian sub-continent and some African markets."

Dubai's re-export trade was worth $10.4 billion in 2003, the most recent year for which official figures are available, and is estimated to be growing by about 25 per cent annually.

"In the context of that market value, the potential business to be derived from Premium 2005 is enormous," says Boutros.