The International Autumn Trade Fair strengthen the UAE position as a strategic market in the MENA region

The International Autumn Trade Fair (IATF 2016) is announced to be held from 14th to 16th of December at Dubai World Trade Centre. The 31st edition of the event will take place under the theme of “smart living” and will display general consumer goods with emphasis on home and lifestyle, fashion, electronics and home equipment, beauty and cosmetics, and health and fitness.

“Dubai is an open market to the international goods, where consumers find all kind of items of high quality and diverse utilities. This fair is not only beneficial for Dubai residents and guests but also to the whole MENA region, that represents a rich, evolving and innovation savvy market. All trends will be available during the event that is the number one destination to sell, make orders, showcase and connect,” as said Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, the organiser of the event.

Rupashree Singh, Exhibition Manager said, “the 31st edition has gathered more than 250 exhibitors representing 12 countries, including Bangladesh, China, Korea, India, Poland, Australia, Singapore, Spain, Russia, UAE to name a few.”

“Trade shows are important business events for all branches of industry especially as allow direct contact and interactions between the buyers and sellers. Bangladesh our country partner, under the patronage of the Commercial Counsellor office in Dubai and the Export Promotion Bureau, Government of Dubai, will display wide range of plastic household products, leather goods, handicrafts garments and jute products. China largely represents household goods, consumer electronics and fitness equipment, Korea has initiated a sizeable participation in beauty and cosmetics, and the other countries representing bed linen, fashion, footwear, handicrafts, and many more,” Singh explained.

Dubai aims to become the seventh leading maritime capital of the world by 2020, ahead of cities such as London, New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen, and Rio de Janeiro among others, according to Dubai Trade entity, which will enhance the import and export movements from and to the Emirate.

The UAE is considered a central business hub of the Gulf countries, Iran, South Asia and East Africa. The United Arab Emirates mainly imports machinery, transport equipment, chemical products and food stuffs. Imports reached 230,000 million USD in 2015 according to the WTO figures.

The UAE is among the world’s most dynamic markets in terms of foreign trade.  It is the first WTO member from the Arab region to ratify the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in April 2016. Implementation of this agreement has the potential to increase global merchandise exports by up to $1 trillion per annum, according to the WTO’s flagship World Trade Report released on 26 October 2015.  Significantly, the Report also found that developing countries will benefit significantly from the TFA, capturing more than half of the available gains.

“We are aware about the dynamic of the demand and offer in the UAE market. Consumers are very interested in new technologies and products, brands are also important, particularly in fashion, luxury product and cosmetics. This trade show brings global consumer firms to the region with all their new and trendy offer,” concluded Khanna.

Al Fajer Information & Services (AFIS), a unit of Al Fajer Enterprises - a fully nationally owned company was established in the year 1970. Its core activity is articulated around organizing exhibitions and shows, as it has a direct impact on the host country’s economy and it facilitates a highly targeted interface with customers by developing a two way communication channel.