Private Label Industry in Italy is estimated around 4.1 Billion Euros

Dubai, October 24th, 2007: The Italian Pavilion, which has put up an impressive display of world-class brands at Private Label Middle East Dubai 2007, the region's only brand and private label products exhibition, has generated a lot of sales leads at the expo. The Private Label Industry in Italy is estimated around 4.1 Billion Euros by the end of 2007. 

The expo was inaugurated by Mr. Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General of Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai. Leading companies from Italy have showcased their exquisite brands as part of the Italian Pavilion in the exhibition, which got under way at Dubai World Trade Centre.  

The 180-square-meter Italian Pavilion has been aesthetically put up by Italian Trade Commission, the Italian Trade Section of the Italian Embassy in the UAE -- the government body responsible for development of trade between Italy and rest of the world.

During his visit to the Pavilion, the Italian Trade Commissioner, Dr. Ferdinando Fiore said: "On behalf of the Italian Trade Commission, I wish to congratulate everyone associated with the Private Label Middle East exhibition. We were always confident of generating good response and sales leads at event, which offers top Italian brands a single-window access to the Middle East and other developing markets".

Leading Italian companies have taken centre stage at the PLME '07 show. Esseplast S.p.A, the Italian design cleaning tools for home that has carved a niche with its Melody brand; Bioformula, the exclusive made in Italy  Derma-cosmetic line; Rummo S.p.A Milano Pastificio, the food major  manufacturer who has taken the world by storm with its pasta; Biokolor, the leading make-up and skin care manufacturer; FAMAC, the paper converter producing toilet papers, kitchen towel, napkins and handkerchiefs; Fonti di Posina, the top mineral water brand; Niada SRL., "The made in Italy" creation & production of thermoformed blister packs for health, cosmetics, hardware, electronics mobile phones and PROFIMED SRL, the leading Italian manufacturer of dental floss. 

In her comments, Ms. Monica Mensurati, Regional Representative, Special Project Office at the Italian Trade Commission - Rome, who is instrumental in putting up the pavilion, said: "We are expecting that the expo will be a grand success and already the initial indications are phenomenal. It is a new market for Italian companies and we are happy to be part of the Private Label Middle East in Dubai. We hope we will generate good contacts and opportunities which provide us with good business leads for our participants."

Private Label Middle East exhibition is the perfect venue to highlight the growth in the sector across Italy, where it has taken extremely important dimensions. Italy is already one of the five main operators in the sector in Europe, with growth rates often higher than those recorded by the same products within their brands.

According to data collected in the latest Retail Tracking IRI research, which refers to 2005, the total turnover of Italian companies working in the field reached € 3.8 billion, 5.5 per cent more than the previous year. The merit essentially goes to fresh food products, which recorded a 32 per cent increase, followed by cosmetics with a 23 per cent increase over twelve months. Actually, the food and cosmetic sectors were a surprise and the operators have decided to invest in these areas, attracting foreign investments too.

The Private Label Middle East exhibition, organised by Channels Exhibitions, specialises in the research, development, design and packaging of in-house brands that are manufactured under contract for sale under private labels. The exhibition, which will run till October 25, focuses on a wide array of products - ranging from food and beverages, home care, hygiene, electronics, white goods, clothing to stationery and disposable industrial items.

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About Italian Institute of Foreign Trade (I.C.E)
Headquartered in Rome, the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (I.C.E.), established in 1926, is the governmental agency tasked with the promotion and development of trade and industrial cooperation between Italy and the rest of the world. This is aimed at encouraging the internationalization of Italian companies, especially the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

With 16 regional offices in Italy and more of 100 offices across the globe, I.C.E. swiftly responds to ongoing challenges affecting international markets and guarantees support to each individual company wishing to enter and establish itself in the global market. I.C.E. gathers information via continuous monitoring of overseas markets, commercial trends and investments. I.C.E. information resource is available online at www.italtrade.com.

For further information from Dubai office, please contact Italian Trade Commission, 603, 6th Floor, Crowne Plaza - Commercial Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 24113, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +9714-3314951; Fax: +9714-3314279; e-mail: dubai.dubai@ice.it

© Press Release 2007