CAIRO, 26th February, 2017 (WAM) -- The Arab Union for International Exhibitions and Conferences, AUIEC, has discussed ways of developing the fairs and exhibitions sector in the Arab World and the strategies of building the capacities of all stakeholders.
The meeting, held recently at the general headquarters of Arab League’s General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Economic Unity in Cairo, was aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of Arab economic integration and promoting Arab products and industries in international markets.
Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Expo Centre Sharjah CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Arab Union for International Exhibitions and Conferences, AUIEC, led the meeting which was attended by representatives of 13 member states.
The importance of this meeting stems from the crucial role the exhibitions industry plays in world economy, as it affects 40 percent of the marketing plans of any product. The Council of Arab Economic Unity also reviewed and approved AUIEC’s 2017 events calendar.
Some of the major events to be organised will include the inaugural edition of the "Made in the Arab World" exhibition that will be hosted by the UAE with participation from 13 Arab countries, in addition to the "Palestinian Investment Exhibition" which will take place in Jordan. Both exhibitions will be organised in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Council for Arab Economic Unity.
Attendees also considered forming specialised committees to help enhance AUIEC’s efforts and highlight its role in bolstering the exhibitions industry across the Arab World. Four committees were formed: the Public Relations Committee, Exhibitions and Conferences Committee, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Committee, and the Research, Development and Training Committee.
The Council underlined Egypt’s leading role in supporting AUIEC and approved choosing a new AUIEC headquarters in Cairo. Salah Oman Al Shaikh from Sudan was also elected as the Second Deputy to the Chairman of AUIEC’s Board of Directors.
"This meeting represents a significant step in the accelerated efforts of advancing joint Arab economic action by nurturing pan-Arab trade and promoting specialised exhibitions in the Arab World, particularly by offering them the opportunity to spread their wings and become international events. It also helps increasing their contributions to the national economies of the individual Arab countries and reinvigorating their role in marketing Arab products on the global arena," said Al Midfa, who also thanked Egypt for its unwavering support as AUIEC’s permanent host country.
Al Midfa added that the "Made in the Arab World" exhibition will support and promote Arab industries and products on local, regional and international levels.
Mahmoud Al Jarrah, AUIEC Secretary-General, said that regulating the experiences of Arab countries collectively under the umbrella of AUIEC is crucial for providing the ideal frameworks and circumstances for holding joint Arab events and exhibitions that shed light on the advanced levels of development Arab products have achieved.
Ambassador Mohammed Al Rabea, Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Economic Unity, expressed his full support for the Council in fulfilling its mission of boosting the presence of Arab industrial products and merchandize locally and globally and energising inter-Arab trade to achieve Arab economic integration.
Ms. Iveta Sulca, Latvia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Egypt, commended AUIEC’s role in supporting international trade and expressed her country’s wish to boost cooperation with AUIEC by co-organising exhibitions that introduce Arab products to Latvian consumers, and vice versa.
WAM/Aamir/Moran