In a new survey of importers from the Middle East, buyers throughout the region indicated they will increase their purchases from China manufacturers in the coming year.

The exclusive survey was conducted by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and organiser of the China Sourcing Fair exhibitions in Dubai, which is scheduled to run from June 14 to 16 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The survey found that 82 per cent of buyers would buy more of their products from China in the coming twelve months in order to remain competitive during the global economic downturn.

While 59 per cent of importers said they have been negatively affected by the global economic slowdown, a surprisingly strong 41 per cent indicated that there businesses have not been affected.

Ninety-two per cent indicated that they plan to increase the frequency of their purchasing this year, while more than half (52 per cent) of those polled plan to increase their purchases from China by as much as 30 per cent compared to last year.

The survey also reported that 57 per cent said they felt economic conditions would improve within the next 6 to 12 months.

“Eighty-seven per cent of the importers we surveyed are already actively importing from China,” said Bill Janeri, Global Sources’ Middle East general manager.

“If over half of them are planning to increase their purchases from China by as much as 30 per cent, then it’s clear that China is becoming an even more important supply market for buyers in the Middle East,” he added.

“The companies we surveyed have been importing for a long time,” Janeri continued.

“In fact, 43 per cent of them have been importing for 10 years or more; 20 per cent of these companies have been importing for more than 20 years. So I feel these results really give a good indication of trade today in the Middle East.

“And they indicate that perhaps the markets of the Middle East are faring better economically compared to other parts of the world. To us, the organiser of the China Sourcing Fairs here in Dubai, it means that the exhibition is perfectly timed to meet the needs of trade in the region.”

Last week, Global Sources announced its four up-coming China Sourcing Fairs in Dubai had sold out, growing 40 per cent this year to reach over 1,100 booths.

The China Sourcing Fairs: electronics, fashion accessories, gifts & premiums, and home products will feature manufacturers from Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan). The events will be co-located with the India Sourcing Fair, a dedicated exhibition featuring manufacturers from India. – TradeArabia News Service