WETEX 2010 concludes, with 60 % bookings for next year’s show

WETEX 2010 concludes, with 60 % bookings for next year’s show

UK Minister of Trade and Irish Ambassador to the UAE visits the show

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 11 March 2010: The 12th Water Technology, Energy and Environment Exhibition 2010 – WETEX 2010 concluded today, with 60 per cent of space already booked for next year’s show.

The three-day show attracted large number of visitors who were keen to explore new technologies and solutions.

Sixty-two per cent of the participating companies said they had obtained leads that would be translated into for contracts during 2010, after participating in the show.

DEWA officials, organizers of the show, said exhibitors were very satisfied with the show which met its positioning as a platform for growing their business in the Middle East region. Also, a large number of sponsors and co-sponsors confirmed their sponsorship for next year’s edition.

This proves the significance of the show which has become an important event on Dubai’s annual calendar of events. The new solutions displayed were welcomed by visitors in the light of rapid growth of electricity, water and related industries in the Middle East

H.E Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA expressed satisfaction at the participation that exceeded all expectations, a proof of the dramatic growth of the event.

The UK Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, Lord Davies, who led a delegation to the show as part of his visit along with 70 British SMEs to the UAE this week, visited the venue and lauded its success. The visit was of significance especially since the UAE is the UK’s 14th biggest export market and it aims at further increasing business and partnership opportunities between both countries.

Commenting on his visit to the show and to Dubai in general, Lord Davies said: “Dubai is the natural hub for the Middle East and the UAE remains our number one trading partner across the region. At the end of last year, the UK and UAE Government’s made a commitment to increasing our bilateral trade to £12 billion by 2015, a 60 per cent increase from current levels. I hope this visit moves us a step closer to achieving our new trade targets."

The size and scope of the delegation attending WETEX shows the UK's enthusiasm for exploring new business opportunities.

Despite the challenging global economic conditions, UK exports of goods to the UAE held steady at around £3.6 billion in 2009.

Al Tayer added commenting on the UK Minister visit: “The UAE has always been a key emerging market for the UK and this reflects the already strong commercial relationship between both countries, and the excellent opportunities that the UAE has to offer. The UAE is amongst the UK's largest export market world-wide, and the largest in the Middle East region. Hundreds of UK companies are well established in Dubai serving most of the major sectors.”

Al Tayer added: “Historically the UK and the UAE have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. Today there are over 140 direct flights between the UAE and the UK each week. We at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) would like to strengthen the investment relationship with the UK companies and are committed to keeping this relationship as relevant today as it ever was.”

DEWA’s stand as well as the green building stand which aimed at enhancing awareness in protecting the natural resources of Dubai attracted hordes of visitors.

H.E. Ambassador Ciaran Madden, Irish Ambassador to UAE also visited the show, leading a business delegation and discussed ways to enhance business relationships between DEWA and the Irish business community. The delegation also praised WETEX’s role in being a platform that brings under one roof manufacturers, decision makers, executives and clients, offering opportunities for establishing new alliances and strengthening existing business ties.

Irish companies are giving high attention to Wetex. Biggest Irish companies are keen to further enhance avenues of cooperation with DEWA.

DEWA held a gala dinner on the second day of WETEX at the Bustan Rotana, attended by Mr Al Tayer. Al Tayer and Mr. Abdullah Al Hajri, VP for customer servicing, felicitated sponsors and cosponsors of the show. Also, Mr Al Tayer honoured government organizations that participated in the show.