Dubai perfumes and cosmetics trade at Dh20.5b in 2015

DUBAI: Dubai’s foreign trade in perfumes and cosmetics during 2015 hit Dh20.5 billion, according to an official of the Dubai Customs.

France was Dubai’s top trading partner in perfumes and cosmetics, valued at Dh3 billion, followed by the US with Dh1.8 billion, Saudi Arabia with Dh1.6 billion and the UK and Italy with Dh1.1 billion and Dh1 billion, respectively.

These figures were revealed at a workshop facilitated by Nassim Al Maheiri, manager of Statistics and Studies at Dubai Customs, at the Beautyworld Middle East, the largest international trade fair for beauty products, hair, fragrances and well-being in the Middle East.

Perfumes topped the beauty products traded through Dubai, accounting for Dh5.9 billion, while toiletries contributed Dh3.2 billion, followed by deodorants at Dh1.2 billion and creams at Dh1 billion, according to Al Maheiri.

Ahmad Abdul Salam Kazim, director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at Dubai Customs, said, “We at Dubai Customs follow a transparent approach when dealing with businesses, by sharing foreign trade figures and statistics, so they can plan the size of their investments ahead and make well-informed decisions.”

Perfumes and cosmetics, perhaps more than any other luxury goods, have long been a major target for counterfeiting. Due to this and considering the serious risk counterfeit toiletries pose to people’s health, Dubai Customs takes exceptional care to pin down counterfeiters selling bogus perfumes and cosmetics.

The 21st edition of the three-day Beautyworld Middle East is currently taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring more than 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries.