More than 30,000 trade visitors from 18 countries are expected to attend ITCE Cairo 2008 (ITCE'11), a major trade fair for textile, embroidery, sewing machinery and accessories serving the Mena markets.

The trade fair is being held under the patronage of the ministry of trade and industry, Egypt, council of Arab Economic Unity and Arab Federation for Textile Industries.

The fair will run from February 28 to March 2 at the Cairo International Fair ground.

This year’s edition will witness a record turnout, as over 700 exhibitors from 24 countries have confirmed their attendance, said ACG-ITF, the event organiser.

A host of dignitaries, including Dr Ahmed Gouili, secretary general of the Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU); Rashid M. Rashid, minister of trade & industry, Egypt; and Galal El Zorba, president of the Federation of Egyptian Industry (FEI), will be present at the opening ceremony.

Wael Al Kadi, exhibition director said this year the exhibition halls have been allocated on the basis of the industry segment.

'The entire exhibition area has been divided into three divisions: exhibition entrance, eastern pavilion and western pavilion.'

'The exhibition entrance - which includes halls 1, 1A and 1B – will feature tricot, and painting equipments and machines; the eastern pavilion - which includes halls 2, 2A, 3, 3A and 4 – is allocated for textiles, weaving equipments, dyeing and textile-printing machines, in addition to chemicals and raw materials,' he explained.

'The western pavilion is allocated for embroidery, weaving and thread machines, and related accessories,” Al Kadi added.

Ahmed Ghozzi, ACG-ITF chairman and CEO, said the exhibition was regarded as the seventh most important textile industry exhibition in the world.

Over the years, ITCE has played a crucial role in supporting and developing the textile industry in Egypt in particular, and the Arab region and Africa in general.

“We have conducted a comprehensive media and publicity campaign targeting specialists and traders in the Mena region, as well as industrial unions and specialised organisations, offering special rates for visitors from the Arab region.'

This year’s ITCE will also witness an official visit by a high level delegation from the textile manufacturers’ union of Tunisia, Ghozzi added.-TradeArabia News Service