Boom in trade with the Middle East countries particularly with UAE, has led Hong Kong Trade Development Council to announce staging of a solo show with over 150 companies showcasing an array of consumer products at the upcoming 19th edition of the International Autumn Trade Fair 2004 (IATF 2004). The fair is going to take place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) during December 12-16 2004. While addressing a press conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Ali Fakha, Marketing Manager, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said that the mega promotion `Hong Kong in Style'', would feature an array of stylish products is Hong Kong''s first ever major expo featuring innovative and trendy products, ranging from electronics, gifts, timepieces and garments in Hall No 4 of DIEC. He informed that in the year 2003, the total regional trade was up by over 19 per cent at US$3.17 billion compared to US$2.66 billion in 2002. Continuing its run in 2004, the total trade in the first quarter from January-April 2004 crossed US$2 billion, of which about US$1 billion was from exports from Hong Kong to the region – 8.6 per cent up from the corresponding quarter in 2003. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show, while welcoming the participation stated, “Hong Kong''s decision to step up participation in IATF 2004, shows the great potential and prospect of consumer goods trade in the region and in the UAE in particular with Dubai being the re-export hub for the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, CIS and Indian sub continent.” ”The five-day expo this time is bigger than last year with over 650 companies from 25 countries expected to take part, 30 per cent up from last year''s 507 exhibitors from 23 countries,” he said. ”The fair will be a unique buyer-selling meeting ground for the consumer goods segment featuring eight national pavilions occupying some 75 per cent of the exhibition area of 15,000 square metres,” Khanna mentioned adding that the number of trade buyers is also expected to be significantly larger this time, crossing 17,000 from 15,236 in the previous edition of the show. Over 7,500 general public also visited the show on the last day of the show''s previous edition. The national pavilions at the 29th edition of IATF 2004 will include Iran with 50 companies, Turkey (50), Bangladesh (20), Indonesia (20), India (20) and Mauritius (10). Participating as an individual country, the host country, UAE, will showcase a range of products from 25 companies while other individual country participation include Italy with 15 companies, Saudi Arabia (15), Malaysia (10), Russia (10) and Taiwan (10) informed Khanna.