Back 2 School Surprises Exhibition 2006 launches its activities

The opening ceremony was attended by Said Al Nabouda, DSS CEO, Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development at the Department of Economic Development (DED), Sultan Lootah, Head of the Organizing Committee for the Back 2 School Surprises 2006, and a number of DED senior officials.

Mr. Al Nabouda said, "We aim through this festival to energize retail business and create a fun environment for children to make them look forward to school again. The Back-to-School Exhibition is a right step in that direction. These seasonal DSS activities encourage visitors to shop for all of their school-going children's requirements under one roof as the exhibition offers a wide choice of latest stationery.'

Mr. Al Nabouda added, "It's always been our top priority to support initiatives targeting youth and children, and once again we wholeheartedly reinforce the Dubai Department of Economic Development's enterprise in showcasing the event to residents and visitors whom I am sure will immensely benefit from this timely exhibition."

Mr. Al Kassim said, "The DSS has been successful in attracting family tourists to Dubai in the middle of the hot summer months due to its exciting summer offerings and exciting events, sports and cultural programmes. The DSS activities have made Dubai one of the popular summer destinations in the region."

Mr. Al Kassim added, "The Back-2-School Surprises Exhibition is an exciting time for families and their children because it signals the beginning of a new and challenging school year. This year's exhibition has taken a new angle in supporting and encouraging young UAE nationals to participate through their own small and medium businesses represented by "Intelaq" licenses."

More than 32 cabins have been set up in a 4 x 2 meter area where children and parents can shop for school supplies and enjoy various aspects of the exhibition. For the first time, this year's exhibition will include 8 booths for Intelaq licenses, issued to Dubai-based nationals who are interested to set up and operate their own businesses single-handedly from their home-based offices as part of supporting young national to enter the business world.

The Back 2 School Exhibition is held in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Bank and Al Sayegh Group. It is sponsored by New Horizon Institute, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Yousef Group, Grand Stores, Dubai Commercial Bank, Al Rawabi, Mohammed Sharif and Brothers Stores, Acer, and Khaleej Times as main sponsors. Sub-sponsors include Damas, Al Nokhda Group, Dubai National Bank, Union Co-op, and Arabian Motors.