Exhibitors at Motexha returned satisfied after the four-day event having met an increased number of Middle East buyers.  The exhibition, which concluded on Thursday, 6 April 2006, witnessed a 30% increase in trade visitor attendance. Motexha the largest Middle East trade exhibition for the garments, textiles, leather and fashion accessories industry attracted 250 companies representing 32 countries. 

The wide range of products featured at Motexha 2006, which included competitively priced volume goods as well as branded fashion items, also attracted buyers from across the region placing firm orders with key exhibitors. According to initial estimates exhibitors at the show were optimistic to gain further orders as a result of their follow-up activities after the exhibition. Major exhibitors like Stuttgart Fashion, Crocs Footwear and Aurea forged new business partnerships at the show.

Commenting on the show, Geoffrey Booy, IIR Middle East Group Exhibition Director, said, “Motexha, as an established trade show, has yet again attracted quality visitors, who were keen on exploring the varied trading opportunities with the exhibitors. The show has received a great response both from exhibitors and visitors, whose presence has certified Motexha as a true trading platform. This fact is underlined by the volume of business generated by the show this year.”

“The regional demand in the sector has been adequately served by Motexha as evidenced by the profile of trade visitors who have come to the show to do business. We have had excellent representation from traders in Saudi Arabia as well as that of the immediate region, such as the Levant, East Africa, and the Indian Sub-continent.  Motexha is also attracting more international buyers who frequently explore the Eastern and Western markets,    demonstrating that the show is the most preferred event of its kind in the region,” he added.

Abdullah Abo Milhim, International Marketing Director, China Da Tong Clothing Manufacture Co Ltd from China said “Motexha has lived up to our expectations as we were able to attract over 100 business enquiries who were keen on doing business with us. We are extremely pleased at the tremendous response generated in the Middle East markets and we credit Motexha 2006 for giving us the right platform for exhibiting our clothings to buyers from the region. We are certainly returning for the next edition, as we have realised beyond doubt the great opportunities offered by Motexha.”

Echoing Abo Milhim’s sentiment, Samprati Sancheti of Jaipur Saree Kendra – an exhibitor from India said, “We are a first time exhibitor of the show and the market has warmly received our offerings. We have had over 150 business enquiries from as far as the UK and USA visiting us at Motexha, underlining the importance of the event as an international trade show. Our success in the show has inspired us to examine the possibilities of establishing a permanent presence in Dubai to cater to the demand for our products.”

Soraya Chiah, Marketing Manager for Ipanema Trading Co LLC, an exclusive distributor for Brazilian women’s footwear said, “This is the second time we are coming to Motexha and we have had a great response for our products especially from the GCC buyers. We consider Motexha as an event that enables us to gain a foothold in the lucrative Middle Eastern markets as the quality of the visitors has been exceptional. Our stand at the show was one of the most visited and we are extremely delighted by the interest that has been generated. We are certainly returning to the show next year to showcase more of our products.”

Booy said, “Motexha, which showcased its 28th edition this year, is going from strength to strength. We are seeing more countries exhibiting and a wider range of products as there is something for every type of buyer such as wholesalers, re-exporters to retailers of both low-mid range to high-end and branded products. Fashion accessories have been a growth area at the show with more exhibitors than ever before offering jewellery, bags, and trimmings and business was particularly brisk in this area. We believe that 2007 will be even better as the importance of the Middle East grows in the eyes of the international marketplace.”

Motexha was officially supported the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and by Texmas, the 300 member strong textile merchants group and promoters of the AED 220 million Dubai Textile City.  Country pavilions from China, Indonesia, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Armenia, Portugal, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, UAE, Lebanon, Thailand, Cyprus, Pakistan and India were present at the show. The next show, Motexha 2007, will be held from March 19-22, 2007 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.