Dubai's exhibition sector withstands challenges

Despite tension in the Gulf over Iraq, Dubai's meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) sector has been attracting a lot of interest, industry sources said.

The recent Gulfood 2003 and Gemex 2003, organised by DWTC, are two good examples of the industry's success.

Gulfood 2003 had a record 660 participants, including 450 participating as part of 23 national pavilions and the remaining 210 representing another 37 countries. About 118 companies from the UAE took part in the event which drew 11,855 visitors.

In 2002, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) registered 459,527 trade visitors in 45 trade exhibitions, with participation by a total of 8,843 companies.

Of the 45 exhibitions, 11 were held at the Airport Expo, Dubai, while the rest were held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC).

The 459,527 visitors comprised 290,458 trade visitors and 169,069 non-trade visitors (general public).

The Gitex Computer Shopper received the highest number of visitors, with 65,864, followed by Gitex 2002, which received 64,404.

In terms of the number of participants, the Big 5 attracted 1,024 exhibitors – the highest, followed by Index and Arabshop which together attracted 1,000 exhibitors.

Last year's Arabian Travel Market and Gitex attracted 700 and 600 companies respectively. It has been thought that the current impasse over Iraq would have a negative impact on the number of visitors to Dubai. However, Dubai witnessed an 18 per cent growth in the number of passengers using Dubai International Airport in 2002 which crossed the 16 million mark.

According to exhibition industry sources, this demonstrates the level of confidence Dubai's exhibition industry enjoys as a good number of visitors to Dubai are business travellers who come either to take part in the exhibitions or network with new clients to expand business.

From January to mid-March, the emirate's exhibition and conference sector has registered a solid growth.

The International Autumn Trade Fair held at the DWTC from January 12 to 16 which attracted 350 participants from 20 countries, was visited by 14,469 visitors.

The Middle East Electricity exhibition, held at the DWTC from January 19 to 21 which saw participation by 287 companies representing 35 countries, attracted over 11,000 visitors.

Arab Health, so far, has been the most successful in terms of the number of participating companies as well as number of visitors with 690 companies from 48 countries taking part and 19,058 visitors.

Arab Lab, held from February 3 to 6, had 200 companies from 33 countries taking part. Over 6,500 visitors networked with local and foreign participants during the event.

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2003, the region's largest retail festival and exhibition, last month set another example in drawing larger crowds at most of the venues.

The outlook for the second quarter looks bright. According to the DWTC, the number of exhibitions being staged in the second quarter of 2003 are up by 32 per cent over the same period last year.

The forthcoming Middle East International Boat Show so far has 126 participants confirmed for the event, including 67 per cent international and 33 per cent local representation.

The International Jewellery Show has so far 197 participants confirming their participation, with more in the pipeline. Among the 197 participants, 29 are of European and American origin, 55 from the UAE and other GCC countries, while 113 are other international companies.

"The first quarter of 2003 has been exceptionally good and the second quarter looks even better with 25 exhibitions lined up between April and June at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) and Airport Expo Dubai registering a substantial growth further reinforcing Dubai's status as the leading exhibition centre in the region," said DWTC director general, Mubarak bin Fahad.

"Interest from international exhibitors taking part in exhibitions held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre and Airport Expo has been strong largely due to the growing potential of the Middle East and neighbouring markets and Dubai's pre-eminent position as a regional gateway, re-exporting goods from around the world to the large markets of neighbouring markets such as Iran, GCC, as well as the countries of the Indian subcontinent, CIS, East Africa and beyond."

He noted that exhibitors come to Dubai to explore the business opportunities the region holds and they expect to secure significant business following the exhibition.

"Our in-depth knowledge of exhibition management and promotion plays a major role in the success of our exhibitions, and we are delighted at the prospect of using our experience to guarantee another triumphant year for the DWTC events lined up," Bin Fahad stated.

"By and large, it is Dubai's liberal commercial regulations, the government's support to business, the emirate's growth as a commercial centre and increasing awareness of the opportunities DWTC provides for international exhibitors that has spurred the growth of the exhibition business in the city."