More than 150 fashion brands will compete for a share of the retail fashion and textile market in the Gulf estimated to be worth Dh42 billion at the Prestige 2005 exhibition.
Reinhard E. Doepfer, managing director of the European Fashion and Textile Export Council, announced an increase in the European textile trade to the UAE.
"Last year, fashion makers from the EU exported apparel to the Gulf Cooperation Council markets worth 718 million euros (Dh3,250 million). This represents an increase of 12.7 per cent over 2003," he said.
However, Germany did not benefit from the increasing demand for fashion, losing 3 per cent of its sales in the region last year, said Doepfer. Being aware of this deficit, the German pavilion at Prestige has doubled its size since last year, and has invited 24 designer brands to the forthcoming event.
According to UK-based market research analyst Retail International, retail space in the UAE will reach 30 million square feet by 2010, due to the increasing number of shopping malls being built.
"Tourist numbers in Dubai are expected to reach 15 million by 2010, and the shopping environment in the region is a great incentive for the biggest names in fashion retailing to develop their operations," said Michael Mueller, managing director, PlanetFair Dubai LLC.
Prestige 2005 will be held from September 17 to 19 in Hall Four at the Dubai World Trade Centre, 10am-1pm, and 5-9pm.
