Demand for consumer electronics will remain strong in Dubai

Dubai: Demand for consumer electronic goods and appliances in Dubai remains strong and sales could reach $3.97 billion (Dh14.6 billion) by 2015 from $3.14 billion at present, a study by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

The study said that while the recent global downturn affected the UAE's consumer electronics market, especially in Dubai, the structural development of the market has remained buoyant.

The increase has been driven by popular electronic devices such as computers, LED and 3D TV sets, 3G handsets, smartphones, feature-rich notebooks and Blu-ray format DVD players, according to the study.

Anwar Ahmad, Business Development Manager of Dubai-based Sanford Middle East, told Gulf News: "Over the last eight years, the consumer electronics market has seen exponential growth in the UAE. Each year our company is growing from 20 per cent to 30 per cent."

He added that the expansion of the consumer base has helped to maintain demand for electronic goods. "Gitex always helps us to introduce a wide range of consumer products."

Ahmad attributed the upswing in demand to strong household consumption by Emiratis, expatriates and inflows of tourists.

While the growth in the electronics market seems very recognisable, Rahish Shah, General Manager of Al Yousuf Electronics, said: "The key driver behind the increasing demand for electronics is that the drop in real estate prices in the UAE has allowed people to move in."

The study showed that the UAE has also started re-exporting consumer electronics to Gulf and African countries.