Libya to have strong presence at Arab Asia Trade Fair

Trade between the UAE and Libya exceeded USD $1 billion in the first quarter of 2005. The total trade for the period marked a 25 per cent increase compared to 2004.

Commercial exchanges between the two countries had been experiencing significant gains since the past several years. UAE-Libya trade rose 230 per cent to hit Dh1.6 billion in 2003 compared to the year 2000.

The coming edition of the Arab Asia Trade Fair will host a national pavilion from Libya consisting of thirteen companies. The pavilion will showcase a large number of Libyan products and services including food, chemicals, plastic products, paints and putties, biscuits and chocolates, and detergent. Tourist destinations in Libya will also be showcased at the Fair.

'The UAE and Libya already enjoys very strong trade relations,' said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

'However, there exists a very strong potential to enhance and strengthen that relationship even further. The Arab Asia Trade Fair will to a large extent help achieve that objective,' he added.

Besides Libya, the Arab Asia Trade Fair will also host national pavilions from Sudan and Vietnam.

Other than national pavilions, individual exhibitors from across the Arab and Asian region will also be featured at the event.

Products on display will include crystal wares and chandeliers, watches and clocks, toys, games and stationery, promotional giveaways and plaques, artificial flowers and plants, art and antiques, ceramics, porcelain and glass, pictures and paintings, bags and travel goods, ready made garments, sports and leisure goods, imitation and fashion jewellery, perfumes and beauty products, furniture, carpets, wall coverings, lights, lamps and fixtures, electronic and electrical appliances, plastics and melamine wares.

'The Arab Asia Trade Fair is a consumer cum trade event,' said Mr. Saif Al Midfa.

'The event, besides providing the region's consumers access to a large range of products and services from Arab and Asian manufacturers, will also act as an important sourcing platform for store owners dealing in consumer goods, bulk buyers, and distributors and agents seeking to expand their portfolios,'

he added.

Visitors to the Arab Asia Trade Fair will be able to witness several new products launches, he said.

Among the visitors to the Arab Asia Trade Fair will be buyers from across the GCC region, Iraq, India, Pakistan, and CIS countries.

The Arab Asia Trade Fair, with its comprehensive product profile, will not only be catering to the growing demand for consumer goods and services in the UAE, but will also act as an access channel to the Middle East's entire consumer market that is endowed with very high spending power.

The UAE, which is a major trading hub in the Middle East, is credited with providing foreign companies access to a regional consumer market worth more than USD $ 200 billion.

The Arab Asia Trade Fair is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will be open for trade and public from 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm.