Dubai: Unique stamps from 20 Arab countries will be showcased at the 2nd Arab Stamp Exhibition organised by Emirates Post and Emirates Philatelic Association at Wafi Centre, Dubai, from March 5 to 9, 2009.
Postal corporations from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Palestine, Sudan, Djibouti and the UAE, are taking part in this major event in the world of philately.
The unique exhibition coincides with the start of the centenary celebrations of Emirates Post, one of the oldest postal corporations in the region. The event is designed to give a boost to the hobby of stamp-collecting, which is the world's most popular hobby, but is still in its infancy in Arab countries.
Ibrahim Bin Karam, CEO of Emirates Post, said: "Through this exhibition, we want to expose the people of the region to the exciting hobby of philately which has a large following globally. We are confident this event will provide the right spark to ignite interest in philately among the younger generation."
Each country's stamps, issued in the past and in the present, will be showcased at individual national pavilions, and top officials from Arab national postal corporations will be present at the five-day major philatelic event.
The 2nd Arab Stamp Exhibition has generated tremendous interest among philatelic associations, dealers from across the globe, stamp collectors and postal corporations.
Besides the national postal corporations, the exhibition will see participation by nine philatelic associations from Arab countries. These associations will highlight individual collections of members, including some rare and valuable stamps and postal history.
In addition, ten international stamp dealers will offer different kinds of stamps for sale, catering to stamp collectors as well as people who want to develop philately as a hobby. Two leading specialist printers of stamps Carters of France and Eastern Printers of Bahrain will also be participating in the exhibition.
Besides stamp displays, the event will host lectures on stamp collecting as well as fun activities for children and stamp collectors.
The prizes and certificates to the participants in the 2nd Arab Stamp Exhibition will be given as per the guidelines and regulations of the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP) and Federation of Inter Asia Philately (FIAP).
A dedicated website, www.arabstampexh.ae, which provides comprehensive information on the 2nd Arab Stamp Exhibition, has been launched by Emirates Post.
By Sunita Menon
© Gulf News 2009
