Saudi Arabia has traditionally welcomed trade and business to its shores, in the process, establishing its status as the GCC's most business-confident market and a major player in the world commercial arena. Despite the global financial crisis, Saudi Arabia is carrying out its development program with no interruption.
Demand for all types of consumer goods has paralleled the high per capita income enjoyed by the Saudi population - a fact reflected by a plethora of giant supermarkets and Western-style shopping malls in existence with further mushrooming throughout the Kingdom. It is in this buoyant business climate, the 25th Jeddah International Trade Fair (JITF) kicked off at Jeddah Center for Forums and Events on Sunday. The show, inaugurated by Adnan Mandura, secretary-general of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, runs from Dec. 15-18 and is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Jeddah International Trade fair has become a prominent meeting place for the industry with international charisma. It is a gathering of national country pavilions and Saudi companies to explore business opportunities through joint ventures, distributorships and franchising. While celebrating its silver jubilee, JITF has successfully emerged as the leading buyer-seller meeting ground for the multitude of products and services.
Speaking about the Gulf’s longest established multi-sectoral event, Zahoor Siddique, vice president of Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, said: "Over the past 24 editions, JITF has provided global companies with an annual platform to showcase their products and services to Saudi traders and entrepreneurs. Since its launch, many of the goods now available in the marketplace were first seen at JITF."
Held under the patronage of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, JITF also customarily has the support of a large number of foreign trade missions based in Saudi Arabia, which work closely with their counterpart international trade associations, export promotion bureaus and relevant government bodies in realizing country pavilions that take part annually with a large number of their leading national exporters.
The leading trade associations that are participating at the show are Associated Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ASSOCHAM), Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), Synthetic & Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) and Indo Arabia Chamber of Commerce & Industries from India (IACCI), Egypt Expo & Convention Authority (EECA), Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC).
Moreover, Siddique said, this year the fair is gathering local and international traders, manufacturers, agents, distributors, investors and entrepreneurs from India, Egypt, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Pakistan and a contingent of Saudi companies.
"At the same time, the fair attracts businessmen from across Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf states eager to see the latest products and services on offer from a wide and varied exhibitor profile," Siddique said.
"The volume of multi-million dollar deals being sourced and signed at the show attracted increasing numbers of high profile visitors, including leading traders, manufacturers, agents, distributors, investors and entrepreneurs."
He said, "Our research has shown that exhibitors who exhibit at JITF are looking to develop their business in Saudi Arabia as they can clearly see the huge opportunities that exist."
The rising Saudi franchising industry, estimated at $1.2 billion and growing at 14% annually, is one of the Kingdom's most vibrant sectors with highly promising potential. The government has been encouraging foreign direct investment and SMEs through generous subsidies on utilities, reducing operational costs and assisting franchisees.
It will offer endless opportunities for both investors and exhibitors to help enhance the ever growing Saudi franchise market.
Jeddah-based Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions is Saudi Arabia's leading event organizer. The first to own dedicated exhibition venues and organize international trade shows in the Kingdom, Al-Harithy has, over more than 30 years, staged in excess of 500 successful exhibitions across a wide range of industry sectors.
The company's impressive track record and wealth of expertise provides the assurance that products and services are promoted with the highest degree of professionalism.
ACE was the first company in the Kingdom specialized in the organization of exhibitions. Such extensive knowledge and experience of both the local market and the exhibitions scene remains unmatched by any other exhibition organizer.
-
Company DirectoryFreight RateExport RateAgency PartnershipCargo Leads