RIYADH, 15 November 2002 — German exports to the Kingdom shot up by 18 percent in the first half of this year compared to the corresponding period last year in the wake of the Sept. 11 events.

This was disclosed to Arab News by Manfred Rothgaenger, delegate of German Foreign Trade at the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO).

According to official statistics released by GESALO, German exports to the Kingdom rose from 1.363 billion euros to 1.669 billion euros during the reporting period. The major export items were industrial machinery and automobiles. The increase in the German industrial exports reflected the surge in the Kingdom’s industrialization program, he observed.

Rothgaenger also announced that two international trade fairs would be held in Germany early next year — Heimtextil 2003 in Frankfurt from Jan. 8 through 11 and Domotex 2003 in Hanover from Jan. 11 through 14. Three carpet factories will be putting up their stands at the Domotex trade fair, which is also expected to attract the representatives of around 60 companies from the Kingdom’s floor coverings and furnishing sector.

The exhibitors, Messe Frankfurt, have promised to put “the world at your feet” by enabling an estimated 90,000 visitors to “see two trade fairs in one airfare.”

There will be a single ticket for taking the bus and train ride to the fair and back. The same tickets could also be used for local public transport at no extra charge. The combination ticket will be available from Jan. 1.

The organizers have also announced a 50,000 euro award for the best entry in the Contract World contest open to architects and interior designers around the world. However, the entry should not be more than a year old.

Speaking on behalf of the participants in the Heimtextil, Mohammed Babelli, owner of Mohammed Mahmoud Trading Est., told Arab News that his past

experience had shown that one “could travel once, profit twice” by attending the fair. “It’s a truly international trade fair where you find a whole range of new products from around the world.”