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 Dubai 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 Online 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 Online Catalogues - 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 Online Catalogue have been placed on the Africa Business Pages to further expand the reach and effectiveness of our publication.

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 of companies in Africa, 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.

The current economic crisis that has engulfed the world has also thrown open a lot of opportunities and forced us to look at new options and possibilities. By breaking the established mould, the economic downturn has, in a way, forced us to look for new pastures. Adapt or perish – the old adage – seems to be so true in the current economic situation. As a result, many businesses around the world are now rethinking their corporate strategies and planning to adapt to the changing economic scenario with a view to maximise profits and cutting overheads.

Viewed against this backdrop, Africa has once again emerged as an attractive place to do business in. Relatively untouched by the global economic crisis, African markets represent a plethora of opportunities when it comes to investments, trade and industry. The untapped and emerging markets in Africa are therefore being targeted by all kinds of businesses – from small trading houses to multinational corporate entities. Profit margins in Africa are high, most of the business is done on cash, demand for most consumer and capital goods is growing – all these factors have made Africa a perfect place to do business. .

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 website 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...

Editor