JEDDAH, 7 December 2003 — Jeddah’s commercial activity gets a boost with the inauguration of Saudi Arabia’s International Trade Fair (SAITF) at the International Exhibition and Convention Center, Madinah Road, today.
Abdullah ibn Abdulrahman Al-Hamoudi, deputy minister of commerce, department of foreign trade, opens the five-day event at 4.30 p.m.
The fair, being held with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has the participation of hundreds of international companies that are showcasing their products and services through their country pavilions or individual stands.
The largest participation is from Malaysia with its 200 companies. Its Caravan Malaysia 2003, which earlier showcased in Bahrain, occupies over 3,000 sq. m. space at the venue. Its Proton cars occupy a pride of place, as they are soon to re-enter the Kingdom with new agency terms.
“Caravan Malaysia features 200 companies involved in manufacturing and trading sectors like electrical, electronics, automobile, IVT, food, agriculture, furniture, construction, handicrafts and education,” Mohtar Abdullah, local trade commissioner, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, said.
“Our trade has seen enormous gains over the last five years. The bilateral trade has increased to $788 million in 2002, up 48.2 percent, over $526 million in 1998,” he said and emphasized vast opportunities that exist for further trade expansion.
“The entire display has been conceptually designed to create a unique environment that has not compromised on nature,” Mohamed Ghazali Idris, manager MATRADE, said. “Caravan Malaysia, which earlier visited Bahrain and will next proceed to the UAE, is not only an exhibition but an event where the visitor gets to see the material utilized in products manufactured in the country,” he added.
Thailand is the second largest participant with 28 of its companies represented by 52 executives. “We aim to increase our exports with a view to narrowing the trade balance that remains hugely in favor of the Kingdom,” Thai Consul General Suvat Hanafi Chirapant said.
“Thai exports have increased by seven percent to $356 million and imports from the Kingdom are up by 49 percent to $1.4 billion during the first 10 months of 2003. Oil forms 78 percent of Thai imports from the Kingdom, the rest being chemical products and fertilizers, while Thai exports to the Kingdom include an expanding range of consumer and industrial products and services.” Other countries taking part in the expo are Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hong Kong and Spain aside from Gulf and Saudi agents and traders.
Thirty-three Indonesian manufacturers are displaying dried flowers, giftware, garments, cushion covers, cosmetics, handicrafts, interior decoration, jewelry, souvenir, kitchen accessories, and wood furniture and carving, said M. Alimuddin A. Pohan, consul for economic affairs at the Indonesian Consulate.
A dozen companies from Turkey, whose bilateral trade is on an upswing, would be mostly interested in looking for new trade partners, Turkish Consulate Commercial Attache Ismail Ates said. “About 85 percent of our exports include building material and equipment and agricultural products,” he said.
Hong Kong’s 14 companies are exhibiting “world-class” products that include a wide range of household and industrial products and services, according to Ali Fakha, marketing manager of the Dubai-based Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
Pakistan Commercial Counselor Muhammad Saleem said the Kingdom was his country’s sixth major export destination. “Our bilateral trade stands at $1.8 billion. Our exports, however, had a record growth in 2002-03 over the preceding financial year,” he said.
The SAITF will remain open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Dec. 11. “This is a trade show where retail sale is prohibited. Children will not be admitted,” said Dr. Talal Mashadi, deputy general manager at Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, which is staging the annual event.