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FIRST BUILDING TRADE FAIR IN MIDDLE EAST
Front 2004, the first trade fair specializing in building covers in the
Middle East, will open March 14 and run through March 17, 2004, at the
new Sharjah Exposition Centre in the United Arab Emirates.
The event includes the key topics of doors, windows, roofs and walls.
It is being organized jointly by Durma Messe Stuttgart International and the
Sharjah Center. The promotional supporters of the trade fair are two German
associations: the Federal Association for Roller Shutters and Sun Protection
and the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers.
The construction
market in the Middle East is expanding rapidly. Between 2001 and 2002, turnover
in the construction industry rose from $45 billion to $50.2 billion, according
to the fair’s organizers.
March 14 to 17, 2004
Front 2004
Sharjah Exposition Centre
United Arab Emirates
Messe Stuttgart
+49 (0) 711 2589-255
www.messe-stuttgart.de
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CANADIAN RETAILERS FORESEE GROWTH IN HOME IMPROVEMENT
Owners and managers of Canada’s home improvement stores reacted
positively to many aspects of the country’s proposed federal budget.
“
Provisions to increase the small business deduction; further reductions in
the Employment Insurance rate; and continued reductions to the corporate tax
rate are all good news,” said Bob Elliott, president, Canadian Retail
Hardware Association.
“Our members welcome the forecast that the economy will grow by more
than three per cent both this year and next,” Elliott added. Strong
employment growth, the five-year tax reduction program; and a rebounding
U.S. economy later this year and next, were all reasons he cited for
expecting healthy growth in the retail home improvement sector.
Elliott pointed to a statement in the budget that servicing the national
debt is the largest single spending program of the federal government. “The
budget forecasts that the government of Canada will only break even this
fiscal year and next,” Elliott observed. He expressed disappointment
that the budget did not include a strong commitment to debt reduction.
Although pleased with budget measures to increase funding for the
building and renovation of affordable housing, Elliott said that more
aggressive support of the housing industry was required. “It is in the
best interests of the Canadian economy to take the necessary steps to promote the
ongoing health of the nation’s housing market“ he noted.
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MAISON & OBJET SEES GROWTH
With 60,000 buyers, including 17,278 from oversees, Maison & Objet held
in Paris, France, in January saw a growth of more than 12 percent compared
to January 2002.
With the backing of the Paris City Hall and the Pairs Tourist and
Convention Office, an impressive strategy had been set up to promote Paris
as a city that recognizes creativity. Various services were provided to
buyers such as reception in train stations and airports, shuttles in the
colors of the event, posters, banners along the Champs Elysees and a
Parisian itinerary connecting some 137 places to discover.
North Americans were strongly present (up 22 percent from last year) as
were visitors from Italy.
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