Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The Expo Centre Sharjah revealed that the first half of 2019 has recorded a notable hike in the number of companies that made their debut in the Expo Centre exhibitions, with a ratio of 20 per cent.

“This reflects the Expo Centre’s global reputation as a pioneering and prominent destination for exhibitions and conferences industry around the world,” added Expo Centre.

The centre pointed out that the exhibitions and conferences organised and hosted in the first half were characterised by their diversity and consistency with the changing demands of the population and the business sector.

These include electronics, real estate investment and the manufacture of steel and metals, watches, jewellery, health care, dates, schools, childcare, reading, and housing in addition to government communication and Ramadan Nights.

Expo Centre added that the exhibition that attracted participating companies and exhibitors the most was the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show (WJMES).

While the Real Estate Investment Exhibition (ACRES 2019) recorded 11 per cent growth in the number of local, regional and international exhibitors. Also, SteelFab 2019, the region’s premier metal working event, saw a 25 per cent growth in the number of exhibitors.

On the other hand, the Expo Centre highlighted the remarkable participation of the local companies in the Centre exhibitions. This indicates the significant role played by the Center in motivating national companies to showcase their high-quality products and services to exhibition visitors and to enhance their performance as well.

The Centre pointed out that it has completed the preparations for organizing and hosting a number of major exhibitions and conferences during the coming period from September to December 2019.

Exhibitions to be organised and hosted will range from cultural, real estate, industrial, consumer and other items, most notably the 38th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, Xposure International Photography Festival and the 47th edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show.

Stimulating Business Tourism and Boosting Economic Growth

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Chairman of the Expo Centre Sharjah, pointed to the key role of Expo Centre Sharjah in achieving Sharjah’s strategic vision.

Al Owais added that bolstering the exhibitions and conferences industry stems from the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah to support the process of economic development in Sharjah and to achieve the national objectives in terms of diversifying the economy and enhancing its sustainable growth.

He explained that the industry of exhibitions and conferences has had clear positive impacts on the economy of Sharjah and various sectors, most notably stimulating business tourism and regular tourism.

“This has reflected on the high occupancy rates and hotel revenues. The matter that contributed to strengthening Sharjah’s position as a destination for business tourism after it has established itself as a destination for family tourism.” Al Owais noted.

“Exhibitions and conferences industry is an integral part of our strategy to promote the Emirate of Sharjah as a business and investment destination. This industry has contributed to driving the investment and enhancing the flow of foreign investments to the Emirate of Sharjah, where exhibiting companies hold economic agreements and partnerships. While the visiting official delegations seize the opportunity of these events to review means of strengthening the mutual cooperation,” he added.

Saif Mohamed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “The growth in the number of exhibitors during the first half of 2019 is a positive sign of the strategy success adopted by the Expo Center Sharjah to organise and host exhibitions that meet the needs of the market and the business community, and is compatible with the trends and strategies to improve economic, social and cultural performance at various levels.”

“Our agenda at Expo Centre takes into accounts the vital sectors in the Emirate of Sharjah. It also focuses on fostering the contribution of these sectors in the GDP of the Emirate of Sharjah. On those grounds, the Centre hosts the exhibitions that are able to be value-added to Sharjah economy,” added Al Midfa.

He shed light on the innovative strategy adopted by Expo Centre to select the exhibitions it organizes, pointing to the extensive experience of Sharjah in this industry and its ongoing efforts to develop and enhance it in the future.