Expo Centre Sharjah, the exhibition wing of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, registered a 29 per cent rise in the number of exhibitors in 2011 in comparison to the previous year.

The total number of exhibitors at 20 trade and consumer shows was in excess of 2,000, with visitors breaking the 600,000 mark. The centre also saw a double-digit rise in the number of visitors and exhibition space sold.

“Intra-Arab trade was affected last year and the concerns raised by the euro zone crisis were serious. The success of our exhibitions showed that we successfully managed to convert the challenges into opportunities,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, director-general of Expo Centre Sharjah.

“Our optimism was so high that we even launched three new shows that managed to make an impact in their respective industries.”

According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade figures, the Arab Spring has slowed the UAE’s trade with the five countries affected by the unrest.

There was a 32 per cent decline in trade in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. However, UAE’s direct trade is experiencing steady growth and expansion in new markets has helped offset this, the ministry said.

“Consistently high oil prices have helped Gulf hydrocarbon producers to stage a fast recovery from the repercussions of the 2008 global fiscal distress and the euro zone crisis. Besides, owing to the unrest in several regional countries, the UAE has become a safe haven for investors,” Al Midfa added.

“We have also noticed a shift in trade to Asia from the West and we have been fast to grab the opportunities arising out of change. A prime example for this is our tie-up with the All-India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association to bring Plastivision India, the world’s fifth largest trade show of its kind, to Sharjah,” said Al Midfa.

The debut edition of Plastivision Arabia, scheduled to be held along with another launch show ArabiaMold at Expo Centre Sharjah from May 14 to 17, will be among several other high-profile new shows planned for 2012.

The three shows that were launched in 2011 include Parfam, a dedicated showcase for perfumes and fragrances; the Middle East Motor Tuning Show; and Green Middle East, the environmental management and technology exhibition and conference.

“The launch of the three new shows helped us to cover a wide range of industries and expand our target markets and reach in a big way. With non-oil trade projected to see a healthy growth and a major budget allocation to boost infrastructure projects, we are planning to expand the scope of existing shows, launch several new fairs and increase our exhibition facilities,” said Al Midfa.  – TradeArabia News Service