Premium expo opens in Dubai

More than 60 exhibitors from 15 countries are taking part in the event that runs until Tuesday and is open daily from 10am until 9pm, showcasing 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.

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

"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."

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.

"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 and the Asian sub-continent."

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.