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Dubai: A global arena to host International CES [Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates)](Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dubai's impressive infrastructure makes it an ideal venue for international events, writes Abdul Basit Dubai, which serves a potential market of almost two billion people, is an ideal place to host the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow — International CES — for the Middle East and Africa region. The exhibition, held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, hosts previews of products and new product announcements, besides hosting several educational events, conferences, and networking opportunities with key industry peers on the sidelines of the show. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recently announced that it will produce the 2015 International CES Asia scheduled to run from May 25-27 in Shanghai, China. "We are extremely excited to launch this new tradeshow in Shanghai. At this time, our efforts and focus will remain on the International CES (in Las Vegas) and the International CES Asia. There is no doubt that the Middle East is an important market, but right now, we have no plans on launching an additional tradeshow in that region," Allie Fried, senior manager, International Communications, CEA, told Khaleej Times in an e-mailed statement. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry president and chief executive officer, Hamad Buamim, also indicated the possibility of hosting this tradeshow in Dubai after leading a high profile delegation to the show in 2011. Praising the strong ties between the Dubai Chamber and the CEA, Buamim said that Dubai is looking forward to host the CES in Dubai soon. "Dubai is well positioned to host CES as it is a leading global consumer electronics market," he explained. Power retailers in the UAE also indicated that it would be a welcome decision if CEA choose Dubai for a new edition and that CES in Dubai could be another success platform like Gitex is for technology and Gulfood is for the food industry in Dubai. Emax chief executive officer, Neelesh Bhatnagar, said: "A show like CES draws global businesses to showcase latest products and technologies and thus becomes a significant platform for any market. Dubai being a leading business hub with its well-designed infrastructure and convenient environment becomes a perfect destination and a genuine spot for a show of this sort." The UAE's consumer electronics market is one of the largest in the Gulf, accounting for close to 40 per cent of regional spending and serving a potential market of almost two billion people. The UAE's retail sales are forecasted to grow from an estimated Dh113.87 billion ($31 billion) in 2011 to Dh151.36 billion ($41.22 billion) by 2015, according to Dubai Events. The Middle East is touted to be one of the fastest growing IT markets in the world, with IDC estimating annual growth in 2014 to be $32 million in the region. The growth trends are healthy and indicative of a strong appetite for technology retail and innovation. "The UAE in particular has proven its mettle for hosting big events and technology-focused shows such as Gitex Shopper and Technology Week in Dubai, as well as the Abu Dhabi Electronics Expo. The city's formidable infrastructure makes it a favourable venue for global events. It would be a very successful and welcome decision by the CEA if they choose to host a Middle East edition of the CES in Dubai," Jumbo Electronics head of retail, Nadeem Khanzadah, said. Khanzadah added: "The CES in Las Vegas is a highlight event for retailers in this region. In previous editions, the Jumbo team was able to get up-to-speed on the latest products at least a year before they reach end markets here. Over the years, we have used our learnings from the event and our expertise on the consumer trends in the region to shorten the gap between launch and local availability of popular products." Responding to Khaleej Times, Eros Group deputy chief executive officer, Niranjan Gidwani, said: "Yes, the CEA should look at the UAE as a destination for hosting a Middle East tradeshow. We do have the mainstay Gitex event in October but CEA could add another event to the calendar during Spring maybe. Also, with their expertise in hosting the Las Vegas event the UAE would benefit with another international event." Jacky's Electronics chief operating officer Ashish Panjabi said that CEA did try and run a CES show in Dubai several years ago and had run it alongside the HomeTech show. "That exhibition has now folded and part of the reason for this was because we have several shows in Dubai already that overlap with shows like CES. One of the biggest shows is Gitex Technology Week which has established itself alongside CES and CeBIT as one of the largest IT shows in the world. In addition to that, we have two Gitex Shopper events which are consumer shows that focus on the both selling and exhibiting the latest in consumer products," he said. Talking about CES in Las Vegas, Panjabi said it is a far better show than what it was a few years ago. "Most successful trade shows have to find ways to reinvent themselves as many of the categories that traditionally exhibit become obsolete and many others emerge. CES has done this extremely well as has Gitex Technology Week," he added. International CES Asia The CEA's decision to introduce an Asian version of the CES is truly commendable. The Asian sector is home to some of the biggest selling technology brands in the world. China's emergence as a strong contender in this space, with its own products and manufacturing support offered to global firms makes the Shanghai CES a great opportunity to encourage more participation from Asia. Khanzadah said: "While it is too early to comment on the potential of the event, the fact that some of the top brands from technology strongholds such as the US and Europe have confirmed participation is promising. For retailers in the Middle East region, the proximity to the host nation — the factory of the world — could mean that the wait-time for newly launched products is reduced considerably." Eros Group's Gidwani said: "China has continued to evolve itself fast as not only a manufacturing hub but also a technology hub. The country is fast emerging as a destination for new technologies and the CEA organising the event there is further proof of that. We are excited as some of our principal brands are from China." Emax CEO Neelesh Bhatnagar said: "The Chinese economic system is on gait to become the largest in the world with consumer electronics retail sales in China expected to reach $154.4 billion in 2014. CES Asia provides a unique opportunity for global companies with operations in China to expend market share in this rapidly growing market." •[email protected] (c) 2014 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |