Scalextric is not for the faint hearted, according to Russell Sheldon Vice President Emirates Airlines, who are main sponsors of the original McLaren Mercedes MP 4/21 driven by Finnish Kimi Raikonnen and Juan-Pablo Montoya from Columbia. Mr. Sheldon said, this phenomenal sports racing game is suitable for anyone between the age of 6 to 60. It develops hand to eye coordination and brings out the competitive edge in kids. Living in the UAE during the summer months can be quite restrictive as outdoor entertainment is not always a suitable option; Scalextric which can be set up at home and enjoyed by adults and kids alike, is an excellent past time, in fact there are few past times that are as much fun.”
On show at the ME Toy fair are incredible replicas of Kimi Raikonnen’s McLaren Mercedes F1 2005 and Fernando Alonso’s Renault F1 Team R24; Scalextric have the exclusive worldwide license for thus model. These museum quality replicas are impeccable and ultimately collector’s items. Kimi Raikonnen is currently 3rd in the world rankings after Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
Housewares & Homestyle and the Middle East Toy Fair are running parallel to Beautyworld / Wellness & Spas Middle East. Both shows are the largest fairs of their kind within the Middle East and have attracted a total of 330 exhibitors to this year’s show, their aim is to create and build business opportunities and presence within the Middle East. The second day has had amazing response; exhibitors from across the globe have concluded some great deals and contacts.
For Sri Lankan first time exhibitor, Art Home, the exhibition was a great success; this is evident by their sellout on the first day. Exhibiting a range of art vases and containers, they have had a 40 foot container order for Kuwait and potential orders for KSA. The company is a German/Sri Lankan $5million joint venture. “we are looking to enter the Middle East market and we are hoping to secure a distributor during the show,” said Mr. Karunaratne. “So far, the exhibition has been very encouraging.”
Built NY Inc is a design focused accessories company set up by US designers Aaron Lown and John Roscoe Swartz. Their mission was to design smarter and better looking consumer products, achieving this mission set up Built NY products, which are now recognised as masterful designs. To date consumers can find Build NY products in New York’s Museum of Modern Art Store. Made from nylon-covered, wetsuit-grade neoprene, their Products, which include BYO LunchBag, One-Bottle Tote, and now the new baby Built NY Baby line are practical yet incredibly cool.
Hamad Al-Khaled & Bros. Group is the sole Middle Eastern agent, based in Kuwait; Nada Hamad Al Jouan, Assistant Deputy General Manager Commercial Affairs commented “The Middle East Toy Fair, is the perfect opportunity for Built NY to meet potential sub distributors, to ensure our presence in the Middle East strengthens.”
Amallis, US based company distributing infant, baby and toddler products such as teething objects, hand held toys, thermometers and more is exhibiting at the show to find a Middle East distributor. “The show has presented more than we expected. WE came to find a UAE distributor and ended up speaking to distributors from Kazakhstan, Iran, Nigeria, Kuwait, Egypt, Pakistan and Greece,” said Mr Massi. This shows the level of visitors and countries targeted by the Toy Fair. The brands they distribute are Munchkin, Summer and Sassy
The Toy Fair is being strongly supported by the presence of various International Toy Associations, including those from Spain, France, Germany and Thailand.
