The UAE satellite receiver and antenna market is poised to catch the second wave after the post-war export boom to Iraq and the recent slowdown.
Demand for receivers and accessories surged 100 per cent in April and May, sparking price increase of 30 per cent, dealers said. "There was an unusual situation in which local demand had come to a virtual standstill due to the price increase, but dealers did not complain due to the sudden boom in exports to Iraq."
"Initially we forecast the boom will continue for at least three months. So we, a medium-sized business, ordered around 7,500 pieces a month as the stocks were sold out."
He added: "On average big dealers ordered 15,000 receivers a month on average to meet the demand." Dealers estimated that around 500,000 receivers and accessories were exported to Iraq during the boom.
"Scores of freezer trucks which carry fruit and vegetables to the UAE returned to Iraq loaded with receivers and antennas," said the dealer on condition of anonymity.
He attributed the present slowdown to the closing of the Iraq border by the U.S. occupation authorities and the electricity cut-off in many parts of Iraq. "Once the borders are opened and electricity restored in Iraq, the demand for receivers and antennas will surge again."
He said he was looking for a rebound to 15-20 per cent growth in the July-September period, and then around 30 per cent in the final three months of the year.
Yassir Nabil of Round the Globe Electronics said scores of traders from Iraq and neighbouring countries flocked to the UAE in April and May and made deals to export receivers and antennas to Iraq. "Besides local and Iraqi dealers, individuals also entered the business to benefit from the situation."
Fadhl Hassan, another electronics dealer, said soon after the war the demand for receivers and accessories surged and he was unable to meet the demand.
"We exported to Iraq, Syria and Jordan. But now the Iraqi market is flooded and business has slowed down again. It will pick up within three months."
Eurostar, leaders in satellite systems, targeted the Iraq market with their state-of-the-art technology.
"With the advent of direct-to-home satellite reception with quality television channels now available in Iraq, we believe that this is an obvious option in our Middle Eastern expansion strategy," said Raju T. Jethwani, Eurostar Group Chairman.
"Offering top names in satellite systems, the Eurostar Group has been steadily growing throughout the region with a network in 29 countries, with branches in Muscat, Kuwait, Egypt, Iran, India, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Korea set up iun the last few years.
"This inroad into Iraq not only reiterates our commitment to the region, but also gives the market the opportunity to get the most advanced systems along with our pioneering Arabic language satellite receivers," added Jethwani.
Eurostar has also spearheaded digital technology by introducing not only its array of digital satellite receivers but was also the first to launch the worlds first analogue satellite receiver with on-screen Arabic and English display.
"Eurostar plans to introduce further innovations in the satellite entertainment market and beyond. We have a global growth strategy that will extend its reach to every part of the world."
Gulf News
