Mid East A Growing Carpet Manufacturing Center

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 22, 2006--The Middle East is the world’s fourth largest carpet manufacturer after the U.S., Belgium and Holland and the regional industry is expected to grow between 10 -25 % over the next five years, according to Mattex International, a textile polyolefin converting group. “European volume manufacturers have been suffering for the last decade and saw the majority of their low end products shifting eastwards. Today, the European consolidation trend adds only up to this effect,” said Luc Blommaert, sales and marketing director, Mattex International, which has its regional headquarters in Dubai and a manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. “The Middle East has become a gravity point in the global carpet manufacturing industry. Good worldwide distribution channels from Dubai, Jebel Ali and Jeddah ports, combined with low energy and labour costs, as well as the availability of raw materials and the power to invest, give the region a competitive edge. It also allows its market share to grow in a healthy way.” Further evidence of regional industry growth comes as nearly a third of exhibitors confirmed for Domotex Middle East, the specialized event for carpets and all floor coverings which debuts in Dubai this month, hail from within the region. “This year’s debut event already has many of the foremost regional carpets and flooring companies confirmed, including Abu Dhabi National Carpet, Al Sorayiah from Saudi Arabia and Iran’s Miri Carpet. Regional heavyweights from Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon and throughout the Gulf will line up at the show alongside exhibitors from over 30 countries and pavilions from four nations including the U.S, Belgium, Croatia and India,” said Angela Schaschen, Managing Director of Messe Middle East, the regional cooperation partner of Domotex Middle East. The show, which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 28-30, is already well established in Hannover and China. “The event will have enormous opportunities for regional players with new-to-market products and market entrants looking for Middle East representation, joint ventures and direct sales,” added Schaschen.