Dubai: The next edition of Gitex Shopper, which will be held twice a year from now, will be held from April 3-6 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, it was announced on Friday.

Following a directive issued on Tuesday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will hold the region’s biggest technology retail event - Gitex Shopper - bi-annually from next year.

“It is important for the UAE to maintain its leadership position in sustaining the growth of technology in the region, and, we have the support to deliver the successful Gitex Shopper extravaganza twice annually,” Helal Saeed Al Merri, CEO of DWTC, the organiser of Gitex Shopper, said in a statement.

Hemesh Chandavarkar, Exhibition Director at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), said retailers and brands seem enthusiastic about this initiative.

“Exhibitors are excited to have another version of this event as it is a good chance to boost their business and energise the market.”

The new location of Shopper seems to be a good incentive for exhibitors as well as visitors as “it offers more parking, food and beverage outlets and its own dedicated Metro station just steps away from the show, providing the ultimate convenience for all visitors and shoppers”.

“Moreover, we are expecting new companies to participate in the forthcoming Shopper as the show is always expected to have strong returns on both local and regional retailers and distributors,” said Chandavarkar.

“Gitex Shopper provides the only platform in the Middle East for consumers to access the top retailers and international consumer IT and electronics brands in one convenient location, and the ever-increasing demand from throughout the region can no longer be met by one show a year,” Al Merri said.

The region’s biggest IT and consumer electronics industry sales extravaganza has enjoyed year on year success since it was established 22 years ago and will close its 2012 edition on (Saturday), with visitor numbers and final revenues expected to break all previous records.

Many retailers welcome the double opportunity to boost their retail business as Gitex Shopper remains a staple event in their retail activity calendar.

Welcoming the initiative, Ashish Panjabi, COO of Jacky’s Electronics, said: “It is a good move by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed as the region is witnessing a tremendous growth and strong appetite for the electronics industry.”

“We are keen to participate in next year’s event at the same time we are waiting for more clarity from the organisers. We will be holding talks with the organisers regarding this.”

The strategic relocation and access to Dubai Metro have been positively received by exhibitors and visitors.

According Vishesh Bhatia, CEO of Jumbo Electronics, said: ”We will keep supporting the government. It is very exciting and good time to have it. It will also attract visitors from other GCC countries.”

“The event will be a major attraction and more beneficial to consumer, brands and retailers and it will definitely give a boost to the local retail industry,” Bhatia said.