Sixth edition of Optical Middle East

Optical Middle East, the international optics, ophthalmic and eyewear fair, is now at its sixth edition, which is due to take place from February 26 through 29, 2004, at Dubai's World Trade Centre, the recently renovated exhibition complex, and the most modern and efficient in the entire Middle East.

The fair is small fair, but highly specialized, and the number of exhibitors and operators continue to grow as it is the only one of its kind in the Arab World. In 2002, there were over 90 exhibitors from 19 different countries; 12 Italian companies were present with their own stands, in addition to about fifteen others represented by their local importers.

Over 7,000 commercial operators flocked to visit the fair from the Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

There can be no doubt that for many years Dubai has been the economic capital of the Middle East and it has taken on the same role in Arab countries that Hong Kong and Singapore had in the Far East; in other words, it is the purchasing and distribution center for all the neighboring countries. Suffice to say that, thanks to almost nonexistent import duties, over 70% of everything that is bought in the Emirates is re-exported to all the other Gulf countries. On the one hand, this is due to its strategic geographical position compared to the other States, but on the other, credit must also go to the ability of local traders.

As far as the Eyewear, Optics and Ophthalmic market is concerned, growth is constant not only because consumption has increased, but because the sun, air conditioning and sand have led to greater eye health problems for the region's inhabitants. It therefore follows that the market for sunglasses, contact lenses, products and instruments for optics stores, has recorded exponential growth.