The UAE accounts for 14 per cent of the Middle East air-conditioning and refrigeration market with further growth envisaged in the coming years in view of growing demand on the back of increasing population and residential and commercial establishments, officials said.

"The air-conditioning and refrigeration market in the UAE is buoyant, booming and advanced," said Hussam Hittiny, Exhibitions Manager, Damas Exhibitions & Conferences, organisers of the first international refrigeration, air-conditioning and ventilation (Ravex 2002).

The market for room and packaged air-conditioning in the Middle East is valued at $1.4 billion in 2000 with sales of 2 million units, he said quoting a UK-based research agency. The market is estimated to grow to $2.1 billion and 2.9 million units by 2004.

Saudi Arabia accounts for 40 per cent of the region's market while UAE comes next with 14 per cent followed by Iran with 12 per cent. The industry in the UAE and the region is now poised to reinforce its presence in the global markets as it is already a manufacturing centre for several Japanese, U.S. and other international brands.

"The UAE and the region boasts of certain advantages for the air-conditioning and refrigerataion industry because of low production costs, high quality and its strategic location between the east and west," he said.

Ravex will be held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre from 14 to 16 April this year. On last count 45 local and international firms had confirmed their participation along with 15 ministries and government departments from the GCC. Around 50,000 invitations have been sent across the GCC.

Officials of the UAE Ministry of Electricity & Water and the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (Adwea) said they are supporting Ravex 2002 along with the Department of Social Services & Commercial Buildings, Adnoc, the UAE Contractors Association, the PWD and others.

Companies that have confirmed participation include LG Electronics, Samsung, Mitsubishi Electronics, Gibca, UTS Carrier, Eros Electricals, Kimmco, Tabreed, LifaAir (Finland) and several others.