The Expo Centre Sharjah highlighted its remarkable participation within the SCCI's fifth trade mission, represented by the SEDC, to Kenya and Uganda. During the visit, the Centre delegation reviewed the essential role and strategic position of Expo Center regionally and globally, highlighting the most prominent economic and cultural events organized and hosted annually by the Centre, most notably, the 16th edition of the steel and metal industry exhibition "SteelFab", which will be held in 2020 and the international exhibition for plastic, printing and packaging Industry "PlastiVision Arabia 2020". Headed by Sultan Shattaf, Sales & Marketing Director, Expo Centre Sharjah, the members of the delegation held several meetings with representatives of economic sectors in both Kenya and Uganda, where they discussed the mutual cooperation prospects, utilization of the Expo Centre's facilities and services for exhibitors, investors, and visitors, as well as sharing experiences and best practices in the exhibitions industry. Enhancing Sharjah's Status Speaking on the Centre's participation in the fifth trade mission to East Africa, Sultan Shattaf stressed the importance of regionally and internationally promoting the events hosted by the Expo Centre to ensure the effective participation of international companies in such events and reinforce Sharjah's position in the exhibitions and conferences industry. "During our meetings with Kenyan and Ugandan businessmen, we focused on the Centre's privileges and services provided to exhibitors to showcase their services and products, meet with potential partners, expand their businesses, and penetrate new markets," Shattaf noted. He added: "Our participation aims primarily to reinforce the Centre's reputation and develop its events, in accordance with its strategic plan 2018 – 2022 and the schedule of its foreign visits. This includes the attendance and participation in Sharjah's trade missions to promote the Expo Centre, as one of the most prominent places for organizing and hosting the specialized exhibition across the region, and to establish partnerships with leading entities in the exhibitions industry." Promoting SteelFab 2020 In the same context, the Centre delegation discussed with the Ugandan and Kenyan officials the participation mechanisms in the 16th steel and metal industry exhibition "SteelFab" and how to take advantage of facilities and services provided for investors and exhibitors. Shattaf highlighted the great interest of the officials in both countries to actively participate in the upcoming edition of "SteelFab 2020", which is the largest exhibition of its kind. "SteelFab is perfect opportunity for companies to learn closely about the latest technology and modern devices that help provide fast return on investment and limited cost to manufacturers of various types of metal structures, and other effective and safe processing solutions for sheets, sections, and barriers, as well as advanced systems, solutions and technologies to support lifting and material handling operations in various industries while ensuring the highest levels of safety and other benefits. The Expo Centre delegation also underlined the importance and status of the Centre for those wishing to promote their products and services, foster their presence in the Emirati markets, so as to have easy access to Gulf and Middle East markets, through the wide range of exhibitions organized and hosted by the Centre, which enhanced its position on the regional and international exhibitions industry map. This, in turn, has contributed to enhancing Sharjah's position on the map of exhibitions and global business tourism. — SG
