HH Sheikh Hasher Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum opens 30th International Autumn Trade Fair 2015

HH Sheikh Hasher Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Director General, Dubai Department of Information, opens on (Wednesday, 16 December 2015) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 30th edition of International Autumn Trade Fair 2015 (IATF15) themed Smart Living. 

At the show, it was unveiled that the UAE is ranked among the world's top 16 exporters according to the World Trade Organisation’s Report on International Trade Trends. 

“The UAE merchandise exports reached USD 359 billion in 2014, which is 1.89 per cent of the total world exports. The Breakdown in economy's total exports by main commodity group (ITS) is agricultural products (2.2%), fuels and mining products (31.0%), and significant percentage for manufactures (23.6%). While the imports in 2014 were USD 262 billion, which is 1.37 per cent of the total world imports. The breakdown of imports by ITS is Agricultural products (6.8%), fuels and mining products (4.5%), and significant percentage for manufactures (53.2%) in 2014,” said Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information & Services, organizers of the show. 

“We are proud to mark the Pearl Jubilee of International Autumn Trade Fair 2015, the exhibition that witnessed the boom of the commercial sector in the UAE for 30 years. Today, IATF 2015 has become a platform for manufacturers of various types of products from all over the world to showcase their products to the Middle East market through this broad-based exhibition in Dubai,” said Rupashree Singh, IATF Exhibition Manager.

According to the WTO report, the UAE exports breakdown by countries is India (9.6%), and Iran (5.6%), European Union (2.2%), Switzerland (1.9%), Iraq (1.3%), and the rest of the world (26%). While the imports breakdown by counties is European Union (16.3%), India (13.6%), China (7.1%), United States (6.9%), Japan (3.9%), and the rest of the world (23.9%).

“The trade of the industrial products is currently booming in the UAE. This has helped us to attract more than 200 companies from 13 countries this year to Smart Living exhibition. A very wide range of commercial products are on display this year over three days. Due to its coinciding with the weekend this year, Smart Living is expected to attract even a larger number of visitors from various countries,” added Khanna.

Smart Living Show 2015 has grown as a significant exhibition brand serving a diversity of consumer goods sectors. Over the last couple of years, the show has become more attractive to global consumer goods companies with the rise in spending power of the region, particularly the GCC. This year also, most of the regular exhibitors of the show have come back with new products.

IATF15 is putting on display an array of products in kitchenware, tableware, bath-ware, glassware, home appliances, home décor & home textile, fashion and fashion accessories, light and electrical, travel goods. sports goods art, antiques & handicrafts, auto parts, building materials. carpets & wall coverings, cosmetics, perfumes & beauty aids, electronics & electrical, furniture, gifts & novelties, plus many more.