Though the manufacturing sector in the UAE has been flourishing, the lack of a common marketing platform and a uniform label has come in the way of promoting locally manufactured goods to wider target markets.

The inaugural ‘Made In UAE’ exhibition and conference aims to plug that gap through a dedicated showcase that will not only help better market all that is ‘Made in the UAE’ to the burgeoning domestic market but will also increase their exposure several fold to regional and global markets as well, according to the organisers of the exhibition.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the first Made in UAE show got under way at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 9 (Monday).

The four-day exhibition, which will come to a close on December 12 (Thursday), was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Humaid M. bin Salem, General Secretary, Federation of the Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCI); Mr. Mohd. Sultan Bin Huwaidan, First Vice Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO Expo Centre Sharjah; and Mr. Sultan Jemei Obaid, Deputy Director General and Exhibitions Committee Chairman of FCCI.

“The economic diversification programme launched by our leaders has given a big push to the manufacturing industry. While the goods have ready takers here itself, they are also exported, accounting for a fifth of our total exports, with Asia and Africa being the main recipients,” said Mr. Mohd Sultan Bin Huwaidan, First Vice Chairman at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) after the opening ceremony.

According to the UAE Ministry of Economy data, there were 5,201 industrial establishments in the UAE as of 2011, as against 4,960 in 2010. From the 2010 figure, the number of industrial units is expected to increase by 44 per cent to nearly 7,142 units by 2017, said a forecast by Truth Economic Consultancy, a leading research and consultancy firm.

“But considering our cost-effectiveness and top-notch quality, the characteristics unique to our products due to the abundance of key natural resources, skilled manpower and use of latest technology, our products are yet to reach a wider market that they ought to have by now. This has prompted us to set up a platform that will be a springboard for national products to find better penetration in existing markets and at the same time find new markets,” he added.

According to industry observers, the UAE is expected to continue its economic diversification programme through large-scale investments in the manufacturing sector, given that the domestic consumption is set to surge on the back of a growing economy and upcoming key events like the World Expo 2020 and infrastructure projects.

“It is recognizing the importance of the sector, which is amongst the highest contributing sectors to the UAE’s non-oil GDP over the last decade, that the Ministry of Economy, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry came together to launch the Made in UAE exhibition and conference,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

“The UAE has long-term commitments to the development of its manufacturing sector, setting up new free zones, import & export guidelines, streamlining & easing up procedures in setting up new industrial units and offering a slew of incentives to SMEs who are keen to enter the sector. This will invite more players to the sector, attract more foreign investments, bring in latest technology and increase the competitiveness of our products,” added Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

Alongside the show, the UAE National Industry Future Conference 2013 was also inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi. The conference will take place until October 10th 2013, at Expo Centre Sharjah, with key note speakers such as H.E Abdul Hamid Bin Hamad Al Aqeel, Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting, UAE Chamber of Commerce Federation; H.E. Abdullah Al Fan Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs at the Ministry of Economy; H.E. Engineer Fatima Obaid Al Jaber President of Women Business Council in the United Arab Emirates and more. Speakers at the conference will cover a variety of industry topics such as strategic solutions in creating new markets for local products, role of businesswomen in UAE and investment opportunities in the industry.

For its debut, the Made In UAE exhibition is hosting nearly 150 exhibitors who are displaying food and beverages; textile and readymade garments; leather, wood, woodwork and furniture; paper and paper products; chemical and chemical products; oil, rubber and plastic products; metal and non-metal raw materials; machinery and other manufacturing equipment; ceramics and tiles; cement and concrete and other building materials.

The exhibition will run from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily till 9th December 2013 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The admission is free for trade and professional visitors only.

The UAE National Industry Future Conference will run from 9.00am until 2.30pm on 9th December and 9.00am until 12.00 noon on 10th December 2013. The admission is also free for trade and professional visitors only.
 

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