Marked by the heavy Attendance of A+ Profile Trade Delegations, High Net Worth individuals and key Decision Makers.

A fully booked show- 20 % growth in exhibitors' participation; 50% surge in new comers- 850 exhibitors from 25 countries stretched on 20 thousand SQM's, looking forward to pursue business in a promising Iraqi market.

Friday, October 15th 2010: Today witnessed the official inauguration of the 6th edition of Erbil International Fair (EIF 2010), the number one multi-sectorial trade fair serving all the Iraqi territories- at Erbil International Fairground. Held under the auspices of the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan HE Massoud Barzani, the official ribbon cutting was performed by HE Barham Saleh -Prime Minister of KRG- in the presence of the representative of the Prime Minister of Iraq HE Fawzi Hariri- Minister of Industry & Minerals- accompanied by Mr. Albert Aoun, CEO and Chairman of IFG Group (the organizers)- in addition to a vast attendance of Kurdistan Ministers, government officials, official sponsors, exhibitors, visitors & a scope of the local, regional & international media.

The opening ceremony enjoyed all the advantages of state support, including the avid interest and the heavy presence of senior officials determined to support the region's reputation for being the most business-friendly market in the region.

Organized by IFP Iraq and scheduled from October 18th to 21st 2010, 11:00 noon to 7:00 pm, the 4 day event is held under the auspices of the Kurdistan Regional Government and is hosting a record number of participants this year with some 850 companies from 25 countries.

An economic initiative targeted at the revival of Iraq's economy as a whole, via its secure northern gateway, EIF 2010 has been successfully able to establish itself as the launch pad for multinationals wanting to do business in Iraq.

Stretched on some 20 thousand SQM's, the fair offers unparalleled access to a fast-growing region by proposing to both visitors and exhibitors a unique B2B platform with serious access to business opportunities.

The flagship multi-sectorial trade fair of post war Iraq (consumer goods, electronics, home appliances, Fashion, home textiles, interior furnishings, Agricultural products, food, hospitality, bathrooms, kitchens, sanitary fixtures, lighting, wall & floor coverings, IT, telecommunication, security systems, etc...) will feature an eclectic line up of products, services, and solutions which represent an added-value chain of many industries.

Loyal to its reputation of providing an excellent business & matchmaking environment in which regional and international suppliers of myriad goods and services can secure local representation and other forms of partnerships, the show typically brings in the very best of Iraq's business community, people with the local knowledge and market expertise to make the most out of it.

This 6th edition of EIF is marked by the substantial official foreign participation of neighboring and international countries through national pavilions such as Austria,  Germany, UK, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Brazil, Poland, Kuwait, Iran, Jordan, Turkey, Spain & Iraq of course; this is turn substantiates the level of commitment of global players offering to the Iraqi marketplace, goods services products& know how.

In his word to the press, CEO & Chairman of IFP Group started by thanking the KRG for its constant & uninterrupted support; "This year EIF has cemented the reputation of Kurdistan as a magnet for foreign investments and an entry point to Iraq's lucrative market; With almost 850 companies from 25 countries, EIF has exceeded our own expectations".

And added: "This edition marks a substantial 20 % growth in exhibitors' participation and a 50% surge in terms of new companies which proves that the Iraqi market remains the most attractive one in the region. Businesses of scale are present with us looking forward to pursue projects for which the Iraqi government has allocated some 70 billion dollars in infrastructure, agriculture, transport, health, education, communication and many others. Tens of thousands of decision-makers, specialists and delegates of all of the Iraqi regions are expected this year as well".

And concluded: "We are expecting some 60 thousand visitors that will be able to benchmark product features of different solutions exhibited, interact about their requirements with technical heads and negotiate deals with the chief executives present at the spot, as they showcase cutting-edge technologies, products and services provided by tier one companies. This edition confirms the faith & belief that we foresaw 3 years ago when we ventured in Erbil in 2007. Supported by a regional network of offices in Qatar, KSA, Jordan, UAE & Lebanon, our company was a firm believer in the untapped economic potential of Kurdistan; thanks to its wise  laws & decrees, it was successfully able to attract foreign investments;  Kurdistan has become an investment magnet & an entry point to all multinationals looking for lucrative business opportunities in iraq. This in turn, has led us to add 3 more shows in Erbil, which are Project Iraq (that was successfully acclaimed last month) Iraq Medicare 2010 & Agro Food 2010 that are scheduled in December. And we are looking forward to adding new shows in 2011".

After 4 years of presence onto the Iraqi market (as in IFP Iraq) and more than a quarter of a century now as IFP Group (International Fairs and Promotions), we are seriously equipped with the necessary expertise and know-how, in addition to quality resources in terms of IT, Operations, Contacts, ect...  We are keen on providing our participants with large-scale and specialized networking opportunities, commercial exposure, individualized media coverage, contact with high-level industry leaders, exposure to hosted buyers and trade visitors, individualized special event organization and marketing, operational and logistical services.

-Ends- 

About IFP:
For more than a quarter of a century now, IFP Group (International Fairs and Promotions) has been staging the Middle East's most successful exhibitions and trade shows in various sectors (construction, luxury, etc...) in addition to events, conferences and matchmaking series. IFP's track record has landed the corporate the necessary know how, in addition to quality resources (in terms of IT, Operations, Conferences, event management & more) and contacts, mandatory for success. With almost 500 shows under its belt, IFP knows what it takes to pull off a successful event, from ensuring the presence of pre-qualified participants to arranging for high-profile coverage by multiple media outlets. IFP also works with exhibitors to facilitate everything from transport and other logistical requirements to audiovisual equipment and the creation of inventive exhibition stands.

© Press Release 2010