MOTEXHA, the largest fashion, textile and leather trade event in the Middle East will introduce a new retailing initiative, 'Launch Pad' fashion shows, at its upcoming Autumn edition, to be held between September 7 and 10,
2004 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC).
Launch Pad will offer trade buyers and local entrepreneurs a preview of the collections being displayed at the PURE branded wear area and EuroTrendz pavilion of the show.
Speaking about this new initiative at a press conference held Monday, Geoffrey Booy, Exhibitions Director of IIR Middle East, the organizers of the show, stated, "Fashion business is big business in the Middle East region. As a show that caters to the buying needs of the US$ 11.4 billion regional textile, garment and leather industry, MOTEXHA is committed to providing exhibitors and trade visitors with the right environment to conduct business. With the Middle East experiencing a retail boom in recent years, and more international fashion brands showing interest in entering the lucrative regional market, we believe this is the right time to introduce dedicated buying forums such as Launch Pad."
"Launch Pad will help participating brands, looking at entering the Middle East market, by to meet with local entrepreneurs and distributors to explore franchising opportunities. In fact, as our exhibitor profile becomes more global, we are also witnessing an increase in the number of international buyers at the show. These buyers realise the value of seeing a large number of multinational brands at a single central location such as Dubai, securing
the emirates' position as a sourcing hub for the Middle East and Asian markets," added Booy.
Fahad Gergawi, Executive Director of Trade and Industrial Development, DCCI stated, "Dubai being the international trading hub for the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Iran & CIS countries, the exhibitions industry is of vital importance."
Commented Ferry Lee, Marketing Director, IIR Exhibitions, "According to Retail International, the independent London-based shopping centre consultants
specialising in the Middle East, retail space in the Middle East will soar to double its current capacity by 2005. Franchising accounts for nearly 50 percent of the Middle East's retail economy with further growth anticipated as Dubai's retail spending is forecast to cross AED 27.89 billion (US$ 7.6 billion) by the end of 2009." (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
