Made In UAE Exhibition To Open In Sharjah On Dec 9

Four-day Show Set To Showcase The Growth Of UAE Manufacturing Sector

Under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the first edition of Made in UAE Exhibition and Conference in Sharjah will be organised at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 9 to 12.

Efforts by the UAE to focus on its manufacturing sector to boost its non-oil exports are set to receive a big push when the country’s leading manufacturers get together for the upcoming ‘Made in UAE’ exhibition at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The sector too is rooting for the event given that manufactured goods accounted for about 53 per cent of UAE’s non-oil exports and 22 per cent of its total exports in 2012. It is also looking at a surge in domestic demand since the World Expo 2020 is coming to the country.

A pre-show press conference held to provide details about the show was held at Expo Centre Sharjah on Wednesday (Dec 4) at Expo Centre Sharjah.

It was addressed by Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Assistant Secretary General, UAE Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr. Sultan Jemei Obaid, Deputy Director General and Exhibitions Committee Chairman of FCCI, Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Director of Export Markets Development, Dubai Export (Dubai Economic Department), Mr. Ahmad Al- Gaizi, Assistant Committee Chairman and Economic Department Manager and Ms. Hana Shabaneh, Managing Director, Success Steps Seminars and Conferences.

“The manufacturing sector is the direct beneficiary of our country’s diversification programme, with the second largest chunk of investments going to the sector. This has helped the sector in obtaining latest technological innovations to boost the quality, quantity and cost-effectiveness of its products, which will be showcased to domestic and international buyers during the Made In UAE exhibition,” said Mr. Midfa.

Of the nearly US$84 billion spent on development projects in the UAE by both public and private sectors in 2012, manufacturing received the second biggest chunk of 14.7 per cent, behind real estate (17.8 per cent), according to latest statistics.

“We are bringing together more than 100 exhibitors from sectors like foodstuff, building materials, furniture & home decor and industrial products. Made in UAE will also feature a conference component, which will help participants gain better insight into market dynamics and how to promote their products to a bigger audience,” added Mr. Midfa.

“The Made in UAE show is the result of the country’s policies aimed at helping reduce our dependence on oil income and ensure sustainability through initiatives that promote the manufacturing industry. The exhibition is offering local manufacturers a sure-shot platform from where they can target both the regional as well as international markets, especially emerging economies,” said Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Al Nuaimi.

The economies in Asia accounted for about 77 per cent of UAE’s exports of manufactured goods in 2012, with 10.4 per cent going to Africa. The nearly 40 free zones in the country are the key drivers of the manufacturing sector, with the majority of the industrial units operating out of them, luring foreign direct investments to the tune of US$8.2 billion in 2012, up from US$7.68 billion the year before.

“Continuing government support, mega deals like the ones signed recently by Mubadala with world’s leading aeroplane manufacturers to expand their aero parts production and events like World Expo 2020 will propel the growth of the manufacturing sector in the country in a big way,” said Mr. Sultan Jemei Obaid.

“As in the past, we are also focusing on SMEs for the Made in UAE exhibition,” he added. The Made in UAE exhibition is an important marketing and sales platform for SMEs, which account for 92 per cent of the country’s total registered companies, 86 per cent of the workforce in the private sector and 40 per cent of the GDP.

The show will display food and beverages; textile and readymade garments; leather, wood, woodwork and furniture; paper and paper products; chemical and chemical products; oil, rubber and plastic products; metal and non-metal raw materials; machinery and other manufacturing equipment; ceramics and tiles; cement and concrete and other building materials.

Apart from industrial units from across the country, the show will also bring together free zones, municipalities and government establishments.

Made in UAE will be held from 9th – 12th December 2013 at Expo Centre Sharjah, show timings are from 10am until 6pm daily. Free Entrance for trade visitors only.

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Dec 4, 2013

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