The Jordan River Foundation (JRF), an Amman-headquartered non-governmental organization which is behind social projects, including carpet weaving, to bring income to the poorest areas of the Kingdom, is looking to build a commercial network in the Arabian Gulf launching the campaign at the DOMOTEX Middle East specialist carpets and flooring show in Dubai this May.
After considerable success in marketing its products in Europe, the JRF, which is chaired by Her Highness Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, is now looking closer to home to fund projects which support sustainable social, economic and cultural programmes which empower Jordanian communities.
“We are coming to DOMOTEX to meet potential partners and dealers and establish a network with small and medium-sized business as well as wholesalers and retailers,” explained JRF’s Director, Maha Khatib.
“We want to establish a strong dealer network in the region. Considering the growth in the property sector and the expansion in the regional tourism and hospitality segment, we should be able to open up partnerships and international marketing channels there.”
The JRF currently sells traditional carpets and rugs woven made in the villages of the country’s Bani Hamida area.
“The older women passed on their skills and helped revive traditional weaving,” explained Khatib. “The result is superior quality pure wool rugs that are currently sold throughout Europe and from our own showroom in Amman.”
A range of the Bani Hamida hand-woven rugs and carpets will go on show at DOMOTEX, which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 28-30.
“We hope the show will attract partners who will help us replicate in the GCC our Amman showroom, which is in an exceptional traditional Jordanian house dating from the beginning of the last century – in itself it is now a critical destination for tourists and business people visiting the country,” said Khatib.
Jordan is among a DOMOTEX Middle East profile which currently spans over 30 countries. The show, organized by Deutsche Messe AG, one of the world’s top three exhibition organizers, is debuting in Dubai after hugely successful events in Hannover and China.
“The exhibitor profile spans an extremely diverse product range – from the traditional rugs of the Jordanian mountain region to the very latest laminates,” said Angela Schaschen, Managing Director, Messe Middle East, the regional co-operation partner of Deutsche Messe AG.
DOMOTEX Middle East is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group and with the official support of the UAE Contractors Association.
Caption: Traditional Jordanian rugs look for GCC market at DOMOTEX
Achieving annual revenues of over EUR 250 million, around 790 employees, 60 agencies abroad and an exhibition centre with a superb infrastructure totalling over 1 million square metres of space, Deutsche Messe AG – based in Hannover, Germany, is the world’s foremost trade fair company.
Deutsche Messe AG develops, plans and runs trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany and abroad.
The main emphasis continues to be on flagship international trade fairs for capital goods, run by Deutsche Messe AG of Hannover. The aim of these trade shows is to represent the latest markets and highlight international market trends. They are also a forum for applications-oriented demonstrations of the latest technology, as well as new launches of cutting-edge technologies and presentations of the latest research findings.
From Australia to Brazil, from the USA to the People’s Republic of China, from Singapore to Turkey: in all these regions Deutsche Messe AG and its six overseas subsidiaries, plus more than 60 foreign representatives, will continue to open up new sales opportunities for their customers in the future. This global network, supported by experienced project teams from Hannover, is responsible for overseeing preparations in the run-up to the event, organising and staging the event itself and providing communications support throughout. At present there are 116 members of staff working abroad for Deutsche Messe AG.
Apart from its competence in running international trade fairs and the unique capacity of its exhibition centre, Deutsche Messe AG offers exhibitors an excellent range of quality services, ensuring the best possible support before, during and after the show.
For further information:
Barbara Saunders, MCS/Action, PO box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +9714 390 2960; fax: +9714 390 8161; email: barbara.s@actionprgroup.com
Or visit Deutsche Messe AG online at: www.messe.de
Or visit Messe Middle East online at: www.messe-me.com
