As
we celebrate the twelveth anniversary of our publication, we
have reason to be pleased about the instrumental role we
have played in increasing trade relations between Africa
and the Middle East. The last five years have witnessed
the emergence of Africa as one of the fastest growing markets
for consumer and capital goods. As more and more countries
in Africa embark on economic liberisation drives, the markets
in Africa have suddenly become alive with hectic business
activity. The United Arab Emirates, one of the traditional
trade partners of Africa,
has seen a tremendous growth in demand from African countries
- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria,
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Congo have emerged as
new markets for UAE-based enterprises. From a UAE standpoint,
Africa, all of a sudden, has emerged as the market of tomorrow.
As part of our continuing efforts to increase two-way trade
and investments between Africa and the United Arab Emirates,
we organised the Afro Business Trade Fair in Kampala, Uganda.
Sponsored by Supra Corporation of Japan, the 1st Afro Business
Trade Fair turned out to be a resounding success and drew
record crowds. Companies from Dubaii Oman, Bahrain, Saudi
Arabia and Uganda, which participated in this first-ever
exhibition of its kind, were able to make useful contacts
in the emerging markets of East Africa. The exhibition attracted
people from nearby countries of Rwanda, Kenya, Congo (formerly
Zaire), and Tanzania, not to mention the immense response
it got from within Uganda. Hon'ble Syeda Bbumba, Uganda's
Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, who inaugurated
the exhibition, hailed the growing trade ties between East
Africa and the UAE and called for consolidated action to
build further on these relations.
During
our long association with Africa, we have come to realise
that the ever-increasing demand for consumer goods in African
countries needs to be met through some innovative and unique
selling techniques. Therefore, we have introduced the Mail
Order Catalogue, the first of its kind, which has helped
our African readers in sourcing their goods directly, without
having to travel to the UAE and spending their precious
money on visa fee, airline tickets and hotel accommodation.
As requested by our African readers, we have also included
the prices of all the products displayed in the Dubai Mail
Order Catalogue - thereby making it easier for them to compare
prices of various products before deciding on their final
purchase. Orders are processed either through telephone,
mail, fax or via the Internet. Selected sections of the
Mail Order Catalogue have been placed on the Africa Business
Pages, our official website in order to further expand the
reach and effectiveness of our publication.
In
an effort to extend the reach of our publication, we have
included a special limited web-edition of the Business Guide
on the Internet which can be accessed from anywhere in the
world. In addition to the Business Guide, our dedicated
website has details of various aspects of the business scenario
in Africa including business updates, import/export procedures,
business contacts, e-mail addresses, market reports and
much more. Hope you find our website informative and useful.
Your comments
and suggestions
on how to further improve our presence on the Internet are
welcome.
The
results of our continued efforts towards promoting direct
trade with Africa have been promising - the UAE has already
emerged as one of the largest trade partners of Kenya and
Uganda. Trade between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates
has seen unprecedented growth in the last few years. Tanzania
is fast emerging as one of the largest re-export markets
for Dubai. Emirates
Airline,
acknowledging the growing trade relations between Africa
and Dubai, has commenced direct services between key African
cities and Dubai.
As
more and more avenues for bi-lateral trade between UAE and
Africa open up, the need for promoting direct business links
acquires renewed significance. Our publication aims at providing
a platform to strengthen ties between the UAE and Africa
by bringing together the business communities of the two
regions.
We
welcome your
suggestions and comments to help us in our endeavours...
-
Managing Editor
