Dubai ideal for re-exporting consumer goods

February, 04th 2011

DUBAI - Dubai provides an ideal platform for re-exporting consumer goods to other markets in the Middle East and North Africa region, a top official of Dubai government said.

Some of these goods go to European markets via Dubai, said Shaikh Hasher Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Director-General, Dubai Department of Information, after inaugurating the 25th edition of the International Autumn Trade Fair (IATF10) on Monday. The show will run until Wednesday.

“Dubai is the trading hub of MENA region because of its crucial role as a re-export center, specially in the consumer goods section. One of the clear examples of this is the participation of national pavilions in the IATF 2010 exhibition,” Shaikh Hasher said.

He lauded the emirate’s far sighted vision that has been shaped over the decades as far as trading is concerned, and the emirate is now poised to consolidate its position as the strategic cross-roads of the world. He quoted the example of 70 per cent of the consumer goods that come to Dubai from China being re-exported to other markets in Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Al Fajer Information and Services, the organiser of the show, expressed satisfaction at this year’s participation as the show grew by 15 per cent to 500 exhibitors from 25 countries.

“The three-day fair has proved to be a leading regional buyer-seller meeting ground for the consumer goods segment. The exhibition, ranked as one of the more popular general trade fairs in the region running in its successful 25th year, has occupied 13,000 square meters of space,” Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information & Services, said.

In all, 500 companies are scheduled to participate from over 25 countries and eight of them are participating as official pavilions supported by their respective governments. Turkey and India are participating for the first time. The other countries participating at individual level are Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Taiwan and the Netherlands.

This year, the fair is hosting the official national pavilions of eight countries, occupying 80 per cent of exhibition space. The national pavilions include 225 exhibitors from China, 35 from Hong Kong, 10 from Singapore, 35 from Korea, 15 from Iran, 20 from Turkey, 40 from India and 15 from Malaysia.

Source: khaleejtimes.com