UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is pleased to announce that its second comprehensive report covering The Exhibition Industry in the Middle East and Africa is now available. Compiled by the association’s Middle East/Africa Regional Office, the report includes an industry assessment, exhibition venue statistics, numbers on trade fairs/exhibitions, emerging business sectors and future trends.

It covers 44 countries: 12 in the Middle East and 32 in Africa. Additional listings, comparisons, updated 2011-2012 data and a SWOT analysis make this a unique tool for appreciating the state of the exhibition industry in the region. It gives a clear sense that, despite the effects of the global economic downturn and political instability in some countries, the future of the exhibition industry in the region is promising. Among other things, the study reveals that the UAE now provides the most indoor exhibition space, with 31% of the Middle Eas t total.

South Africa represents 29% of African indoor exhibition space, and Johannesburg is the only MEA city to offer seven purpose-built exhibition venues. The exhibition market leaders remain the UAE, South Africa and Iran. There has been a 14% increase in the number of trade fairs organised in the Middle East since 2006.

“The need for updated and reliable information about the exhibition scene in the MEA region was pressing,” commented Ibrahim Alkhaldi, UFI MEA Regional Manager. “We were cautious in analysing information from venues and organisers directly, as this is a difficult region for data collection.” Paul Woodward, UFI Managing Director, applauded this effort, saying, “UFI is pleased to be able to make this information available. We are committed to providing solid data on the state of the exhibition industry to our members and to the exhibition industry at large”. www.ufi.org/research