JEDDAH, 30 May 2004 — The annual International Trade Fair, which ended here over the weekend, generated several multimillion-dollar deals, said Dr. Talal Al-Mashhadi, deputy general manager of Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd., which organized the five-day fair.
The event, which included 200 exhibitors from 19 countries alongside local companies, “last year generated deals worth over $200 million and we expected the story to be repeated,” Al-Mashhadi said.
Over 7,500 registered visitors attended the fair, and many were delighted to see a wide range of products displayed at various national pavilions that included Thailand, Iran, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Hong Kong.
“The products showcased were fabulous and in accordance with Saudi and international standards,” Saleh Al-Ghamdi, a local furniture trader said.
The show reflected the Kingdom’s expanding market and economic strength, he added.
Exhibitors focused mainly on the Kingdom’s encouragement of foreign investment and increased privatization in all aspects of production and manufacturing. “We took the opportunity to study the potential of this market for joint venture manufacturing projects,” a Thai exhibitor said.
More than 20 percent of the exhibitors were new. Those who came here previously said they would be also interested in other related exhibitions elsewhere in the Kingdom.
Among those benefiting from the fair were over 40 participants from India, which was the largest group at the annual event, organized by the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industries, an apex body dedicated to promote bilateral trade between the Gulf and India.
“Our exhibitors received a number of inquiries, especially for leather products, abayas, scarves, salwar kameez, and embroidered dresses,” Sunanda Rajendran, executive director of the chamber and head of the delegation, told Arab News. “Our members are enthusiastic about taking part in next year’s event,” she said.
This was echoed by Ashok Kumar, consul (commercial) at the Consulate General of India, who was at hand to answer questions from visitors on India’s expanding trade.
The comprehensive event provided multi-sector trade professionals and businessmen to exchange views on the latest developments.
