Chairman of Tourism Committee at Chambers of Commerce Prince Abdullah Bin Saud Bin Mohammad Al-Saud and Consul General of Pakistan Aftab Khokher at the opening of Pakistan Pavilion in the Decofair 2014 at the Harthy Exhibition Center on Monday. Abdullah Hassoon, assistant director general for Okaz Public Relations (right), Commercial Consul Abdul Wahab Somro (2nd right) and Maher Bukhari, public relations executive (left) are also seen in the picture. — SG photo Arshad Raza & Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – The Chairman of Tourism Committee at Chambers of Commerce, Prince Abdullah Bin Saud Bin Mohammad Al-Saud inaugurated the 6th international exhibition “Decofair 2014” at Harthy Exhibition Center on Monday. Talking to newsmen, Prince Abdullah said: “Saudi Arabia is a land of opportunity where many mega projects are under way at a rapid pace.” The Kingdom is focusing on the development of various sectors. Prince Abdullah termed the exhibition part of Saudi efforts to promote other sectors of the economy. Expressing his satisfaction over the arrangements at the exhibition, he said: “The expo will not only help Saudi businessmen in their search for new designs and materials, it will also give an access to international businesses to the local markets in the Kingdom.” “Use the expertise of international professionals in furniture field in the Kingdom to fill the gap of market,” he said. Prince Abdullah also advised Saudi entrepreneurs to learn from the experience of their international counterparts and to make sure to use their potential. He lauded the organizers of the exhibition for their efforts in arranging the expo. Prince Abdullah noted the distinctiveness and richness of the exhibition, which features the latest global innovations in diverse sectors topped with furniture, floors, accessories, lighting, textiles, placemats, outdoor furniture, kitchen and bathroom furnishing as well as architectural and design services. Simon Blazibi, general manager of exhibitions Reed Sunaidi, organizers of Decofair, said: “The exhibition represents a global platform to deliver the latest products of modern technologies in the furniture industry across the world.” He noted that this is based on the successful experience of the past five editions of Decofair. Blazibi said amid the giant expansion of projects, the Saudi market enjoys high purchasing power, which is shown in more than 10% annual growth. He noted that the exhibition offers variety of business options to get to know the latest products, communicate and complete deals with more than 110 major company exhibitors from the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Malaysia. Naomi Parcpn, Director of Sales and Marketing, Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions, noted that this year's participants include great companies like Roche and Kenzo, Maison, Almiro and Closet World. Naomi said the furniture market faces many challenges mainly, the poor experience in design, lack of emerging prominent local brands, noting that the exhibition will witness interactive presentations and systematic sessions on furniture and design, as well as “The Buyer” program, which aims to provide customers requirements in short time. Later, Prince Abdullah opened the Pakistani Pavilion welcoming the participating companies and their owners. Consul General of Pakistan Aftab Khokher and Commercial Consul Abdul Wahab Somro were also present. Talking to Saudi Gazette, Khokher said: “This expo presents an important opportunity to further strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.” “Twelve Pakistani companies are participating in this expo with a particular focus on furniture, carpets and textiles. These three sectors have a very big potential for exports from Pakistan to the Kingdom,” he said. The expo was arranged in collaboration with the Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), which provided logistical and financial support. The cost of participation in the exhibition is shared by TDAP, said Khokher. Somro added “food and textiles are two biggest sectors so we have organized exhibitions and both of them are here this year in Fodex and and Decofair. Pakistan's export to the rest of the world is worth $24 billion. And the textile sectors fished $12 billion of the total exports. So 50% of Pakistan exports are textile and textile-related items.” He further said Saudi Arabia itself is a huge market. “We are exporting textile to the rest of the world but we are exporting very little textile to Saudi Arabia as compared to the world,” he said, adding “Kingdom's furniture market is worth more than $2 billion and the textile market is even bigger. Saudi Arabia probably imports more than $10 billion worth of furniture, textile and relate items all together. Pakistan has a huge opportunity in Saudi Arabia because its economy is bigger than all the GCC economies.”
