China Homelife, the region’s largest exhibition of Chinese home products, opened today in Dubai, with 15,000 products on offer, available for Middle East buyers to purchase for commercial trade.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, officially inaugurated the exhibition and toured the exhibition halls to meet a number of key Chinese manufacturers.

Sheikha Lubna was joined by Zhang Yi, Commercial Counselor of the Economic and Commerce Department, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China. “Exhibitions such as the China Homelife Fair attract a large number of trade representatives from the UAE and throughout the Middle East which creates a good opportunity for Chinese manufacturers to set up fruitful business relations,” Zhang said.

The GCC is the second-largest trade partner to China and the Middle East is the world’s largest market for Chinese-made product exports; the show has seen a 300 per cent increase in visitor space since the inaugural event in 2010.

Leading the charge at the event are the 120 suppliers from China’s biggest names in the garments and textiles industry. The largest presentation of Chinese textiles to date anywhere in the world, the display will span two pavilions.

Pan Jianjun, general manager event organisers Meorient International Group, said: “Industry analysts have projected the global fabrics and textile market to near $2billion by 2015 and all signs indicate China will play an integral role in growing the sector.

“This is an important time to address how we can better engage with potential partners and customers in the Middle East.  There is a great deal of expectation and optimism among our exhibitors who are providing products not currently available here.”

According to customs statistics, China’s total textile and apparel exports totaled some $141.58 billion from January to July 2012.  The show comes after latest figures released by the Ministry of Foreign Trade reported that trade between the UAE and China increased by 395 per cent in the last ten years and now stands at $15.6 billion.

Jianjun added: “We have seen a steady increase in this sector over the last six months in China and the show will offer exporters a key opportunity to introduce a series of premium offerings that have great potential in such a strategic market here.”

Now in its third year, China Homelife Dubai has a projected 200 per cent increase in visitor numbers as the show welcomes importers, traders and volume buyers to source quality products from China at competitive prices.

Potential buyers can expect a wide choice of offerings as floor space has grown to accommodate more than 1,000 exhibitors across a range of home products.  Highlight pieces include unique furniture, home appliances, kitchens and bathrooms, garden and leisure products and lights and lamps.

The exhibition will run until December 6 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre. – TradeArabia News Service