Early in November, Malta Enterprise organised the participation of 12 companies at the international leading exhibition for building materials and construction related products, the Big 5 Show held in Dubai at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre, with around 3,000 companies from 60 countries.
The exhibition was officially opened by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry. Also present was Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning.
Following the successful participation in and results obtained from previous participation in the Big 5 Show, Malta was present with a larger exhibition area that included aluminium work, wooden doors, water treatment systems, giftware, decorative concrete paving, whirlpool fittings, paints, brushes, wrought iron work and tools, as well as other related products.
During the five days of the event, the Maltese companies recorded over 500 business contacts with trade visitors from the Gulf Region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and other neighbouring countries.
Malta Enterprise head of trade promotion Dennis Vella commented that exports from Malta to the Gulf Region reached around $36m in 2005, with exports to the UAE representing around 50 per cent of this. The participation of Maltese companies at leading exhibitions in the Gulf Region is aimed at introducing more local SMEs to the booming market in the Gulf.
One of the participants, Godfrey Formosa, managing director of D & G Projects Ltd, which supply water treatment systems, said the assistance from Malta Enterprise had been instrumental in his company’s participation at this leading event and he is confident that, with the right follow-up contact, his company will manage to penetrate the Gulf Region.
Arthur Farrugia, managing director of Fibremar Services Group, manufacturers of decorative concrete paving, remarked that the interest for their products at this event had been overwhelming and they are already discussing potential export orders to the Gulf Region. Mr Farrugia also expressed appreciation of the support provided by Malta Enterprise to facilitate the participation of Maltese companies, and added that such events are an opportunity that should not be missed by all those who are really interested in getting their name in the international market.
Other Maltese exhibitors included Aluserv Ltd, Anni 90 Ltd, Deco Manufacturing Ltd, Philip A. Tabone International, Prestige Ltd, S & R (Handaq) Ltd, The Woodstock Brush, Vassallo & Xuereb Ltd, Windmill Aluminium Ltd and ZB Tools Ltd.