Ministry of Economy, Abu Dhabi DED and Khalifa Fund Facilitate Participation of UAE SMEs at China Import and Export Fair

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 9 October, 2014 – The Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Khalifa Fund, is facilitating the participation of more than 60 UAE SMEs at the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair). 

The partnership aims to support the development of home-grown SMEs, help them gain exposure in foreign markets, and consolidate international collaborations. 
Chaired by the Ministry of Economy, a preparatory meeting was convened by Abu Dhabi DED and the Khalifa Fund that brought together representatives from the Chinese Embassy and participating SMEs to review the agenda of the event and logistics of participation.  

The China Import and Export Fair runs in three phases from October 15 to November 4 in China’s bustling Guangdong Province. As China's leading trade event, the fair has the reputation for attracting the largest assortment of products, visitors, and business deals at similar events globally. 

His Excellency Jumaa Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy, said: “Our aim is to provide businesses and SMEs in the UAE with the opportunity to establish a foothold in foreign markets. China is a huge market for local UAE companies and an important hub for Asian and international trade. The Ministry of Economy is keen to leverage the opportunities and provide our indigenous SMEs with resources to develop and grow.”
Non-oil trade between China and the UAE reached a value of US$ 38.5 billion in 2013, with a 13% increase over US$34.1 billion in 2012.