Numerous European optical manufacturers and lens crafters will participate in the fifth Middle East International Optical and Ophthalmic Exhibition, to be held at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) February 14-17, 2002. Organizers say interest among European companies is high this year as they seek to make their mark in a Middle East market that is estimated to be worth 6.5 billion Emirati dirhams (two billion dollars) annually.
"As the optics industry becomes more high-tech, a range of cutting edge lens and machine designs is vying for attention. The optic industry is a fast-paced one, where products are launched and quickly made obsolete as new and improved designs and techniques are adapted,” said Jacqueline Reed, International Project Manager for Middle East Optical 2002.
Earlier this year, industry experts noted that the UAE remains Italy’s top Middle East market, with exports rising 14.3 percent to Dh5.95 billion in 2000. The UAE displaced Saudi Arabia as Italy’s top Middle East export market in 1999, however the Kingdom continues to remain a major destination for many optical providers, with Kuwait and Oman also constituting key markets.
According to the Italian Trade Commission, Italy is currently the UAE’s fifth-ranked partner after the US, Japan, the UK and Germany. “Several Italian companies will be showcasing their new lines at the exhibition in a bid to make inroads in the Gulf region, among the Italian companies that have already confirmed are Area SRL of Milan, Fedon Giorgio & Figli SPA LTL SPA, Po-Le Optik SAS, and Revert SRL,” says Ibrahim Al-Hashemi, exhibitions corporate manager at the DWTC.
LTL SPA says that its gross sales in 2000 were valued at about $40 million, with 60 percent of its current market based in Europe, 20 percent in Africa and 10 percent in the Middle East and Gulf markets. According to LTL representative, Mauro Maloberti, the bulk of LTL’s Middle East sales are currently in Saudi Arabia and the company is hoping to increase its presence in the UAE and other Gulf countries through its participation in Optical Middle East 2002.
“We will be showcasing our Suprema Eye Guard Lenses at Optical Middle East 2002 which repel harmful electro-magnetic waves produced and emitted by electronic apparatus such as computers and televisions. We will also showcase the Nupolar polarized lenses line at the exhibition,” said Maloberti.
Area SRL will feature its newest eyewear lines, which include a range of brand names among them Genesis, Cheyenne, Frecce Tricolori and the Hippo Kids collection. edon Girogio & Figli Spa will showcase Fedon spectacle cases and accessories while Po-Le Optik SAS will feature a range of metal and metal-plastic combination spectacle frames. Revert will showcase its two newest collections—Polar, which features a young design combined with crystal lenses and KLIK optical frames, which includes a new titanium collection with about 100 models to chose from.
The biennial exhibition attracts optical and ophthalmic industry professionals from Europe, South Asia and the Middle East. The exhibition features a range of eye products including sunglasses, contact lenses, frames and eye-care products. The previous edition of Optical Middle East, held in 2000, attracted the participation of some 108 companies representing 23 countries including Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and the UAE. — (menareport.com)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
