By Shahd Alhamdan
JEDDAH — The Jeddah International Trade Fair (JITF) 2016 is proving to be a great opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their new products to educate visitors about their businesses. Many exhibitors who are participating in the fair for the fist time in the Kingdom believe that this is a golden chance for them to enter the Saudi market and expand.
The fair, which runs until Dec. 23, is organized under the patronage of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and was inaugurated by Hassan Ibrahim Dahlan, Secretary General of the JCCI.
“As we approach the New Year, 2017, I am delighted to open Saudi Arabia’s 28th multi-sectoral trade expo on an optimistic note, with a substantial improvement in the oil price and a positive outlook for investors in the Kingdom’s non-oil sector,» Dahlan said.
He added that the Kingdom is the biggest market in the Middle East and remains highly attractive for small and medium businesses, which are the backbone of strong and sustainable economic development.
“I am confident that the entrepreneurial opportunities available at JITF 2016 will promote investment in non-oil sectors and make a significant contribution to diversification, which is a key aim of Saudi Vision 2030,” he said.
Exhibitors from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia and Turkey offer dealer and distributorship agreements for a wide range of products. Around 21 Turkish companies are participating in the fair.
The Commercial Attache in the Turkish consulate in Jeddah, Bilge Donmez, said: “Some of them are famous brands and come to Jeddah looking for ways to enter the Saudi market. I hope this fair would be useful and helpful for our companies and increase their market share here. They will find contacts and they will see their distributors and customers.”
Tony Lee, an export manager for one of the Chinese companies, said it was his first time to participate in this fair. He said his booth showcases several kinds of electronics, including mobile accessories. For him, the fair is a chance to see if the Saudi market will accept his company›s products, and see if the company will succeed in drawing the interest of people.
Sales manager for one of the Asian companies, Antonio Liu, said it was his first time to participate in a fair in Jeddah. He added that he participated in a similar fair before in Riyadh. “I am here looking for new clients and looking for better opportunities. Many clients are here and we want to grab their attention and expand our businesses in the market,” he said.
