UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi inaugurates on Sunday (today) five simultaneous three-day international exhibitions taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center (DICEC). She will also be delivering the keynote address at the International CES/hometech exhibition after the inauguration. She will speak on the importance of innovative technology with business leaders who understand the significant role it plays in today's home technology environment. “These are international industry events that have over the years established themselves as the largest events in the region in their respective industry sectors and attracted thousands of exhibitors and visitors from around the world,” said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “International exhibitions have helped in promoting Dubai as a trade hub in the GCC and the Middle East region and government authorities have always supported private sector initiatives in this direction.” Pruy said rapid economic growth in the Middle East has meant that there is a tremendous focus, by international and regional companies, on discovering and nurturing new business opportunities. “Our expanding series of annual exhibitions also matches and in many cases exceeds the growth rate of the market, as each industry develops and seeks out new opportunities,” he added. A total of 950 exhibitors from 43 countries will demonstrate the latest in a range of products and services from to earth moving equipment to home audio systems, showcasing their wares in what promises to be the largest collection of trade exhibitions held anywhere in the Middle East. "Now on its ninth year, Hardware and Tools Middle East exhibition could not have come at a better time with booming construction activity in the Gulf fueled by soaring oil prices. Buildings and other real estate projects under construction is valued at AED8.8 trillion,” Pruy further said. “On display at the three-day exhibition will be the latest and a wide variety of mechanical, electrical and plumbing products from all over the world perfectly positioned to capture this market,” he added. “Hand in glove with the burgeoning levels of building work is an increased demand for fixtures and fittings exhibited at the Light Middle East, the construction boom in the region has ensured that the lighting fixtures market will grow at a CAGR of almost 7 percent that is higher than the global average of 4 percent,” he added. ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East is the design-led kitchen and bathroom exhibition in the region, attracting major manufacturers and suppliers from around the world who come to present new products and solutions “From properties with spectacular views of the sea, golf course or the lagoons, the focus in the highly competitive residential construction market of the Middle East has now shifted to high-end interior designs. More and more top-end housing projects are crafting bathrooms and kitchens as their unique selling proposition.” said Pruy. “The market for outdoor lifestyle goods is growing: the boom in property, leisure and municipal developments, both require considerable amounts of interior and exterior landscaping. Dubai authorities forecast that spend on landscaping projects this year would be worth AED165 million ($45 million). Construction of parks and new golf courses in the region for the next five years will fuel spending on gardens and landscaping, estimated at AED60.5 billion ($16.5 billion),” he further said. Garden and Landscaping Middle East is the dedicated international trade event in the region for the landscaping and outdoor living industries. The show offers the perfect regional industry networking event to present the latest trends, products and services available to the sophisticated market of landscaping and outdoor architecture. CES, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, throws support. __
