* Over 650 firms from 25 countries to take part in IATF 2004 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from December 12-16, 2004

* Hong Kong-Middle East trade grow over 19 per cent in 2003; trade with UAE up nearly 27 per cent at US$2.868 billion

Dubai, UAE, June 28 2004:  Buoyed by the continuing boom in trade with Middle East countries, particularly with the UAE, Hong Kong Trade Development Council today announced that it will stage a solo show with over 150 companies showcasing an array of consumer products at the upcoming 19th edition of the International Autumn Trade Fair 2004 (IATF 2004) set to take place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) during December 12-16 2004.

Addressing a press conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Mr. Ali Fakha, Marketing Manager of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said that this mega promotion, `Hong Kong in Style', which will feature an array of stylish products is Hong Kong's first ever major expo featuring innovative and trendy products, ranging from electronics, gifts, timepieces and garments in Hall No 4 of DIEC.

Commenting on the reasons for the large participation of Hong Kong at IATF 2004, Mr. Ali Fakha added: "Trade between Hong Kong and the Middle East and the UAE in particular is on a boom and in 2003 the total regional trade was up by over 19 per cent at US$3.17 billion compared to US$2.66 billion in 2002.

The growth was continuing into 2004 with total trade during the first quarter from January-April 2004 touching over US$2 billion, out of which over US$1 billion was exports from Hong Kong to the region - 8.6 per cent up from the corresponding quarter in 2003," he said.

"The UAE is the single largest trade partner for Hong Kong in the region with total trade valued at US$2.56 billion in 2003, up nearly 27 per cent from US$2.26 billion in 2002 out of which US$1.67 billion was exports from Hong Kong, up 27 per cent from 2002. In the first quarter of 2004 the total Hong Kong-UAE trade was to the tune of US$971 million," Mr. Fakha said.

Welcoming the large participation of Hong Kong companies, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show, said: "Hong Kong's decision to step up participation in IATF 2004, shows the great potential and prospect of consumer goods trade in the region and in the UAE in particular with Dubai being the re-export hub for the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, CIS and Indian sub continent ".

"IATF, over the years, has become the leading consumer goods fair in the region and the five-day expo this time is bigger than last year with over 650 companies from 25 countries expected to take part, 30 per cent up from last year's 507 exhibitors from 23 countries," he said.

"The fair will be a unique buyer-selling meeting ground for the consumer goods segment featuring eight national pavilions occupying some 75 per cent of the exhibition area of 15,000 square metres," Mr. Khanna said adding that the number of trade buyers is also expected to be significantly larger this time, crossing 17,000 from 15,236 in the previous edition of the show. Over 7,500 general public also visited the show on the last day of the show's previous edition.

He said that like in the previous years China, which will have a national pavilion at the show, will be the largest participant with some 225 exhibitors. The Chinese pavilion is being organized under the auspices of CCPIT Electronics Sub Council with the help of CCPIT offices in provinces including Ningbo, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Gungzhou.

The national pavilions at the 29th edition of IATF 2004 will include Iran with 50 companies, Turkey (50), Bangladesh (20), Indonesia (20), India (20) and Mauritius (10). Participating as an individual country, the host country, UAE, will showcase a range of products from 25 companies while other individual country participation include Italy with 15 companies, Saudi Arabia (15), Malaysia (10), Russia (10) and Taiwan (10).

"A massive advertising and media campaign is being planned in the Gulf, the Middle east, Iran and North Africa and the Sub Continent through e-mail marketing, radio channels, newspapers, electronic billboards etc. Invitations are aloe being extended to some 50,000 potential visitors through a direct mail campaign," Mr. Khanna said.

-Ends- 

For further information contact:
Jayakrishnan B/Ali Smadi
Percept Profile Gulf(PR)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box No: 74245
Tel: 00971 4 3446373
Fax: 00971 4 3429158
Email: info@perceptprofilegulf.com

© Press Release 2004