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GREECE
MAKES A DEBUT AT THE HOTEL SHOW
 Greek
companies join forces to target the region's
leading hotel supplies event
Dubai, UAE, 10 April, 2005:
Greek companies will join forces for the first time
in an effort to capitalise on the millions of
dollars worth of hotel developments in the Middle
East during the region's biggest hotel supplies
event, The Hotel Show, which takes place 22-24 May
at the Dubai International Exhibition
Centre.
At least nine leading Greek
manufacturers and manufacturers' associations will
make a debut with a Greek national stand under the
umbrella of the Hellinic Foreign Trade Board
(HEPO), an organisation under the supervision of
the Greek Ministry of National Economy.
"Many Greek companies are
interested in establishing business links with the
Gulf region and our debut at The Hotel Show aims to
open the lines of communication between them and
their potential clients or partners in this
region," said Michalis Pavlakos, project manager,
HEPO. "We believe Greek companies are perfectly
positioned to gain a good share of the market for
hotel supplies in the region," he said.
The line-up of Greek exhibitors
includes manufacturers of lighting systems,
high-quality bedroom and table linens and blankets.
One exhibitor is G-Style S.A, which specializes in
stainless steel bathroom accessories. The company
will showcase its full range of bathroom mirrors
and other accessories for hotel rooms and public
bathrooms as well as specially-designed bathroom
accessories for disabled people.
 "The
Middle East market is our number one strategic
target for the forthcoming years," said Andreas
Giannaros, the company's managing director. "At the
moment we generate 7 per cent of our turnover in
this region and our aim is to increase this figure
to 30 per cent by the end of 2006," he
said.
Bronze Art is another Greek
manufacturer of bathroom accessories which will be
attending the event. The company's turnover was
US$11 million in 2004 with no direct sales being
registered in the Middle East.
"Together with one of Greece's
most famous designers, we have developed a
collection of high-end bathroom accessories and we
aim to find exclusive agents to represent us in the
Middle East," said Panagiotis Dededimos, Manager,
Bronze Art.
The Hotel Show is organised and
owned by dmg world media Dubai Ltd. With a targeted
audience of the region's hotel owners and
developers, the exhibition attracts the world's
major hotel supplies manufacturers.
Exhibitors are arriving from as
far afield as Italy, Australia, the Far East,
Russia, South Africa and the United States, as well
as from the major regional players. So far, ten
national pavilions, from China, France, Portugal,
Germany, Greece, Malta, Mexico, Spain, Turkey and
the UK, have signed up to take part in the
exhibition.
Caption: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed
bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai
Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of
Emirates Group, visiting The Hotel Show Exhibition
last year.
HOTEL SHOW AUGURS WELL FOR
AUSTRALIAN - UAE BUSINESS RELATIONS
The state of Victoria sets its
sights on Middle East hotel industry
Dubai, 24 April 2005: At least
15 Australian companies supplying goods to the
hotel industry have already signed up for their
spot on the Australia Pavilion at The Hotel Show,
taking place 22-24 May at the Dubai International
Exhibition Centre.
Business has grown since the
launch of flights between the Australia and the UAE
about eight years ago and with the introduction of
non-stop flights from Dubai to Victoria's state
capital of Melbourne last summer, business
relations between Australia and the UAE have never
been better. Last fiscal year (end June 2004),
Australian exports to the UAE grew to a record
AUS$1.8 billion.
"Dubai is recognised in
Australia as the gateway to Middle East markets and
is regarded as a secure, vibrant location to do
business," said Paul Cahir, managing director,
International Trade Show Management Pty Ltd,
organisers of the Australia Pavilion at the Hotel
Show.
"Australia is now well
represented in the UAE with three State Governments
- Victoria, South Australia, Western
Australia with trade offices in Dubai plus
Austrade (Australian Trade Commission)".
The State of Victoria was the
first to open a trade office in the country and
currently represents 31.6 per cent of overall
Australian exports to the UAE.
"We have encouraged companies to
come here and Dubai is also becoming a popular
stopover for Australian business travellers to
Europe, who have become more aware of the great
business opportunities on offer here," said Peter
Deacon, Executive Director, Victorian Government
Business Office UAE.
"As a result, Victoria currently
has a more diverse presence in the local market
with construction and technology companies as well
as suppliers to the hotel industry now setting up
shop here," he said.
"I think Australian outdoor
furnishings and technology companies will do
particularly well in respect of the Middle East
hotel industry because we already have products
suitable for the climate and we offer quality and
expertise with pricing that is internationally
competitive".
Many companies are already doing
business in the market. SX Technology, producers of
a world &endash;leading video-on-demand system are
already underway with their first Middle East
project at the Crowne Plaza Dubai, while
Casuallife, makers of top quality outdoor
furnishings has fulfilled much of the Madinat
Jumeirah's needs.
Other Australian companies are
finding the need for further representation in the
Middle East Market. Following a major project win
on the Palm, ComTel Resources Pty. Ltd., makers of
a powerful application that assists the hotel
industry with the intergration of their management
and booking systems, will be looking to appoint a
regional distributor while at the Hotel
Show.
The Australian Weaving Mills,
another Victoria-based company that specialises in
linens for the hotel industry will also be using
the Hotel Show as an opportunity to test the market
and investigate options for regional
representation.
With a targeted audience of the
region's hotel owners and developers, The Hotel
Show attracts the world's major hotel supplies
manufacturers. Exhibitors are arriving from as far
afield as Italy, Australia, the Far East, Russia,
South Africa and the United States, as well as from
the major regional players.
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