Visitors from more than 30 countries will gather in Dubai for WT Dubai 2012, a tobacco trade fair close to growing markets in the Mideast and North Africa. Organised by World Tobacco, this year's gathering on 2-3 April is the only industry event in the region.
Dubai, one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is home to some of the most startling architecture in the world and, for two days in April, to the return of World Tobacco (WT) Middle East. Organisers say the trade fair is still the only industry event in a growing Middle East market.
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WT Dubai 2012 will attract visitors from over 30 countries including Iran, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Turkey, Qatar, India, Pakistan, Yemen and of course the host nation United Arab Emirates, says World Tobacco.
North Africa and the Middle East are a fast-growing cigarette market, paced by sales in Egypt, Iran, Algeria and Saudi Arabia. The four countries accounted for half of the cigarettes sold in 2005-2010, according to Euromonitor International. The research group says the Mideast, defined as a region including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia because of their comparable economies, was the world's fastest growing cigarette market in that time period.
Representing the local tobacco industry at WT Middle East 2012 will be ARD Filters, a company formed in 2005 that manufactures mono and dual acetate filter rods. ARD describes itself as the only commercial filter rod maker in the United Arab Emirates. The company is located in Fujairah about two hours drive from Dubai on Arabian Sea, which laps up against the east coast of the UAE.
Another local entry is Orchid Tobacco Industries, a Dubai-based cigarette maker and supplier of machinery to the industry since 1987. Company brands include the Orchid line, K&L and Atlanta. Orchid operates factories in Dubai and Pakistan.
Some of the bigger exhibitors include the Indian sun-cured tobacco processor, Sopariwala Exports. Machinery makers include G.D, the Italian company that designs and builds cigarette-makers and packing lines.
Germany will be represented by another packaging machine builder, Focke, whose machines have set standards for quality since the company began making them in 1955. Also from Germany, Hauni will be showcasing the technology for all process stages that is known throughout the tobacco world.
Zabeel Hall 3 is the location of this year's WT Middle East and part of a sprawling complex of exhibition facilities that together offer more than 1 million square feet of space. Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre is part of the expansion story that began with the World Trade Centre in 1979 and construction of the 39-storey Trade Centre Tower that remains the landmark for the centre.
Later additions to the complex include hotels, exhibition halls and serviced apartment blocks. The site is serviced by the World Trade Centre metro station on the red line, which also runs to the airport.
A jury of 100 Chinese journalists put together by China Travel Channel bestowed a "Most Beautiful Destination" award on Dubai, naming the emirate over destinations including the United States, France, Germany and Singapore. The award was presented this January. Incidentally, Chinese companies also will be well represented at WT Middle East.
Dubai has become a major player as a host for business meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing says more than 200 trade shows, exhibitions and events are held there each year.
A world-class airport, exhibition facilities and range of accommodations to suit every budget are reasons exhibitors are drawn to Dubai. The Dubai Metro is mostly elevated and touted as the world's longest automated train system to be built in one go. System operators say the average speed for red line trains is 42 kilometres per hour.
Taxis are metered and minimum fare is AED 10, or AED 20 for a trip from the airport. Per kilometre the fare for a public taxi is AED 1.60, states the Dubai Taxi Corporation website. DTC operates about 3,500 cabs in Dubai. If you are male and the roof of the taxi is pink, don't bother asking for a ride. Those cabs are driven by and reserved for women and mothers with small children.
A dirham (AED) is equivalent to about EUR 0.21, USD 0.27 or GBP 0.17. Almost any currency can readily be exchanged in Dubai. Rates vary and generally are better at private moneychangers in shopping malls and souqs, the latter referring to a market.
Dubai has a reputation as a shopper's paradise. There are enough shopping malls scattered around the city to make a quick shopping trip feasible. Opening hours vary. Some shops close in the middle of the day and open again in late afternoon. The malls generally are open all day.
Dubai is an open port and there is no sales tax, although the excise or 'sin' tax on items such as alcohol are high. In the souqs, bargaining is the norm.
Exhibitors and guests who don't find the time to shop during the two days of WT Middle East 2012 have the opportunity to visit a Dubai Duty Free shop at the airport on the way home. It is in a class of its own, as evidenced by the many international awards it has received.
Dubai Duty Free operates 18,000 square metres of retail space at Dubai International Airport and is expanding. Last year revenue was nearly USD 1.5 billion and the organisation numbers about 4,000 employees.
Promotional raffles for luxury cars or millions in cash are known to air travellers around the world. Dubai may be the ultimate experience in duty-free shopping.
Finally, here's a tip for visiting the observation deck at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa has more than 160 stories. If you book your date and time in advance, a visit to the observation platform costs AED 100. Multiply that by four if you show up without a reservation - that's AED 400 to go up without a reservation. The viewing platform is on No. 124. Organisers suggest buying a ticket with a reserved visiting time at the ticket counter in the Dubai Mall, and visiting another site or doing some shopping in the general area before returning to the tower at the appointed time. Enditem
