Middle East and North Africa Report (Amman, Jordan)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
February 25, 2009 Wednesday

Dubai imports of toys and baby accessories worth over AED603 million –
Dubai Ports statistics

by Middle East and North Africa Business Report, Amman, Jordan

Feb. 25–A growing percentage of toys imported into Dubai remains
within the country for local consumption, as re-export of toys in the
GCC dropped continuously during the last two years, according to Epoc
Messe Frankfurt, organizers of the Middle East Toy Fair. "The latest
figures available from the Dubai Port has shown that more imported
toys remained in the country during the three-year period under review
from 2005 to 2008, as the amount of re-exported toys declined during
the period," said Ms. Elisabeth Brehl, Managing Director of Epoc Messe
Frankfurt, organizers of the Middle East Toy Fair.

"The GCC toy market relies heavily on imports as there is hardly any
regional production of toys. With most of the worldwide production
facilities for toys in Asia, the majority of toys are shipped from
that region. However, 7% are imported directly from Europe and 3% from
the US and Canada."

Ms. Brehl added that the import of toys to Dubai has grown over 16% in
2007. Re-exported toys in 2007 equated to a value of over AED 334
million. This figure emphasizes the role of Dubai as a distribution
hub in the region. In the past years, the city has established itself
as the central logistic and trading hub for the Middle East region
because of the relatively simple import and re-exports procedures at
the Dubai Ports. Countries like Iraq or Libya, which are difficult to
reach directly for manufacturers, are served from Dubai through
various distributors, exporters and other trading companies.

"The increased demand for toys and baby accessories are an indicator
of the increased population and favorable demographics in the United
Arab Emirates."

According to the latest available figures compiled by the Dubai Port,
in 2006 and 2007, the toy imports were valued at AED 518 million and
AED 603 million respectively, indicating an increase of 7%. In 2005,
2006 and 2007, the re-exports were valued at AED 348 million, AED 339
million, and AED 334 million respectively; or a decline in the value
by 2.65% (2005) and1.3%(2006).

Dubai’s top 12 major re-export destinations in the GCC, CIS and
African countries, in this order of importance are — Iran, Iraq,
Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, Pakistan, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan,
Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Sudan. While the top countries exporting
toys, and baby accessories to Dubai are China, European Countries, US
and Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

In view of the increase in toy imports in this country, the
international exhibitors wishing to tap the growing economy of this
region stand to gain. Ms. Brehl said "The GCC and the Gulf countries
are slightly affected by the economic downturn, but its growing young
population ensures that there will be continuing growth and demand for
toys, baby accessories and school stationery."

"These past few years there have been concerns about unsafe toys
manufactured in Asia. The issue of toy safety and age appropriate toys
was emphasized by members of the Toy Industry Association (U.S.)
during the Middle East Toy Fair exhibition; as well as the continued
presence of the Dubai Municipality."

The Middle East Toy Fair is the region’s biggest trade exhibition for
toys, baby and infant products, stationery and back-to-school
products, games, hobbies, gifts, apparel and licensing. The specific
areas will give visitors and exhibitors a place to source products and
build new business relationships.

It is a unique platform for exhibitors to network with one another and
meet major buyers, key industry players, and educators involved in the
shaping of the Middle East toy market.