Leading luxury brands and a vast array of exclusive designer labels will compete for attention among the retail trade’s discerning buyers at the fifth Middle East Exclusive (MEE) Exhibition.

The only event in the region dedicated to luxury goods and travel retail sector will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 4 to 6.

To be held under the patronage of president of Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai, and chairman of Emirates Airline Shaikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the exhibition will be the biggest in its history.

Over 120 companies from around the globe are expected to participate in the exhibition. The event will showcase among other things a vast selection of high fashion jewellery and accessories to premium cigars, watches, gourmet and fine foods, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, besides designer luggage items and electronic gadgets.

Channels Exhibitions, organisers of the show, said the MEE Exhibition would provide the perfect business platform for the region’s rapidly expanding luxury goods and duty free industry. According to industry reports, the Middle East represents one of the fastest growing regions for the duty free and luxury goods business, which has seen the sales treble in the past decade.

The Middle East is poised for another major growth spurt as multi-billion dollar investments in airports and related infrastructure come into effect. According to Swedish industry analyst group Generation DataBank, in Product Group segment, luxury goods have recorded a six per cent year-on-year growth across the region in 2006 compared to the previous year.

In the segment, luxury goods sales spurted from $9,773 million in 2005 to $10,357 million in 2006.

“This is an exciting time for the luxury goods industry and the duty free segment and the Middle East Exclusive exhibition offer a vital platform for industry players to network and discuss future trends. This year has seen excellent results across the Greater Middle East market, which will see an average growth of 12.2 per cent per annum over next five years in the duty free and travel retail sales,” said managing director, Channels Exhibitions, Justin Boutros.

This year, Middle East Exclusive Exhibition will also form part of the region’s annual Duty Free Week, which provides buyers and suppliers alike with an unrivalled opportunity to network professionally and socially.

The week starts on November 30 and continues until December 1, with the Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) conference.

It will be followed by the Dubai Duty Free World Cup Golf Tournament, scheduled to take place over two championship courses. The tournament, to be held on December 2 and 3, 2007, is one of the most awaited golf tournaments within the Duty Free Industry. – TradeArabia News Service