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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Pavilions galore
By Eman Youssef
The 33rd Cairo International Fair, which opened its doors to the public this week, has attracted participants from 70 countries to the Nasr City Fairgrounds.
Under the general theme "Promoting Egyptian Exports", 4,200 Egyptian and foreign companies are displaying a vast array of products, ranging from heavy industrial machinery to stylish furniture and small household appliances.
"The number of overseas participants has almost doubled since last year, a reflection of positive foreign perceptions of Egypt's political and economic climate," Chairman of the General Organisation for International Exhibitions and Fairs (GOIEF) El-Said Saleh told Al-Ahram Weekly.
Iran, among 21 new exhibitors at the fair, is showing alongside Egyptian agents representing some 30 foreign companies.
Opening this year's fair, Prime Minister Atef Ebeid pledged that the government would act to eliminate those barriers -- including top-heavy customs procedures -- which participating companies say hinder their commercial transactions.
GOIEF, for its part, offered 25 square metres of exhibition space free of charge to participating countries, and negotiated a 25 per cent discount on EgyptAir fares for participants. It also provided "a meeting place to assist in networking between Egyptian and foreign businessmen" according to Waleed Gamal, an official at the Ministry of Economy and External Trade. New facilities also included a computerised information centre to furnish commercial data to investors.
Overseas exhibitors increasingly view Egypt as a gateway to regional markets. "The India Trade Promotion Organisation has sponsored our participation specifically to promote exports not only to Egypt but to neighbouring countries as well," the director of the India pavilion told the Weekly. He did, however, have reservations about the length of the exhibition. "India has been participating in the Cairo fair for six years. We have concluded many successful agreements, but four days would be enough." Indian products at the fair include petrochemicals and heavy equipment for the steel industry.
Companies based in 10th of Ramadan and 6th of October cities made a particularly strong showing, with the latter currently entertaining plans to hold a permanent exhibit in the fairgrounds. The agriculture and tourism sectors, alongside furniture manufacturers, were well represented, while 160 investment companies, affiliated to the Investment Authority, also took part.
The fair, which opened in the wake of the COMESA conference, included a COMESA pavilion visited by several African ministers of trade.
Exhibition organisers say they expect two million visitors before the exhibition grounds close the gates on 10 March.
