The consumer goods market in the Middle East is on an expansion mode in tandem with a major retail push underway in the region. For both branded and unbranded consumer goods this presents an expanded market opportunity in the UAE as well as in the region. Various reports suggest that mall growth in Dubai, the trading and export hub of the region, will grow close to 200 per cent in the next few years. Retail spending is a major driver of growth for the regional economies, particularly Dubai, the shopping paradise of the Middle East.

In Dubai, retail spending is anticipated to touch 25 per cent of the GDP and this is a salient indicator of the potential of the market. Consumer goods account for a major share in the retail tapestry of the regional economy. In Dubai, retail spending is poised to touch close to US$8 billion in 2009 and in Abu Dhabi, the federal capital, close to US$2 billion.

The economies of the region have seen massive investment in retail infrastructure and this in turn will lead to market expansion by leaps and bounds. According to statistics, the UAE alone will have some 4.25 million square metre of retail space in the UAE by 2010. Dubai alone will account for some 3 million square metre of retail space. The largest market in the Gulf region would have some 7 million square metre of retail space. It is estimated at approximately US$100 billion is being invested in retail projects which would fuel further boom in consumer goods uptake,

International Autumn Trade Fair offers an excellent opportunity for global consumer goods players to expand their foot prints in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. The fair also provides a key opportunity and a stepping stone to new companies to enter the regional market.

The success of International Autumn Trade Fair was amply reflected in the 2008 edition which has a participation of793 exhibitors from across the world. It is estimated that the fair attracted some 11772 visitors and presented the exhibitors an excellent single-window view to the regional market.

The next edition of International Autumn Trade Fair offers a great opportunity for consumer goods companies ranging from cosmetics to dairy products to assess the potential and tap the MENA market.

The product categories that are showcased in the exhibition include a huge variety - foodstuff, electronics, household appliances, plastic household products, toys, stationery, electrical items, handicrafts, carpets, garments to textiles, house ware, kitchen ware, sanitary ware, novelties, machinery, machine tools, hardware accessories etc.

The forthcoming International Autumn Trade Fair, which will be held from 17th to 19th January 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) has already generated enthusiastic responses and is poised to become a greater success than the 2008 edition.