Gcc-german bilateral ties on high-growth path
DUBAI — The bilateral trade ties between the GCC countries and Germany are strong and are expected to grow steadily thanks to the ongoing process of mutual co-operation and engagement between the governments involved and the private sectors within these countries.
This was the sentiment expressed by German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economy and Technology, Hans-joachim Otto, at a press conference marking the 10th anniversary in the region of German trade fair organiser, Messe Frankfurt and its plans for regional expansion.
Hans-joachim Otto, said: “The GCC represents one of the most significant trading partners for Germany, being among the leading consumers of German products and services. Our relations have been historically strong and they continue to grow, thanks to greater interaction and mutual engagement.”
Trade volumes between the GCC and Germany, one of the world’s leading exporting nations, have more than doubled over the last decade, according to figures released by the Arab German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In 2010 the trade between the two was worth €16.98 billion, placing the GCC amongst the leading export markets for German products.
Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt, said: “Trade events are strong platforms for companies and manufacturers of products and services to gain access to new and untapped markets. Over the years of organising trade events around the world we have tried to tailor our portfolio to closely match the requirements of our partners and the regions they serve.
The Middle East has developed into one of our most exciting regions, with our events enjoying great patronage and achieving encourag- ing and growing results.”
To mark its significant success and growing reach, the company has recently moved to an office premises in the heart of Dubai, expanding its space by 80 per cent and increasing its employee strength by 41 per cent to meet the growing needs of its partners in the region.
“These ten years have been an extremely encouraging time for us. We have seen growth and development of our portfolio, enjoyed the support of local authorities and risen to become significant players in the market,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the company’s Dubai-based subsidiary.
“Going forward we look to doing even better, growing and adapting to meet the changing requirements of this rapidly-developing region. We will in the future add new events and alter existing ones as we keep in mind the needs of our partners.” MUSCAT — Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) rewarded yesterday the first ten winners in “Save Power and Win RO 500" competition during an awards distribution ceremony held under the auspices of Manal bint Mohamed al Abdwani, Chairperson of MEDC.
Zahir bin Abdullah al Abri, Director General of MEDC welcomed the attendants and confirmed that such competition comes as part of the efforts exerted by his company the raise the awareness of its customers about the importance of rationalising the usages of electricity.
Al Abri emphasised on the great importance of these practices in reducing the power consumptions of the consumers and saving the electrical power for other usages.
He said that the competition succeeded in attracting large number of participating subscribers in the services of MEDC.
He indicated that this success is a proof that there is a strong belief in the importance of rationalising the power consumption.
He added that the company devises many meaningful means that aim at establishing some sort of awareness about the importance of power conservation that could codify the irrational usages of power.
The Director-general of MEDC said: “Out of our social commitments towards our subscribers and the local community, MEDC organised, during the last summer, a power conservation competition for the subscribers in the residential sector with the objective of creating the idea of “A Responsible Family” that adopts to the power conservation practices.” Power conservation methods were utilised as modern lifestyles.
The subscribers who participated in this programme competed in saving the largest amount of energy compared with their consumption during the same period of the preceding year. Some rules were set for participating in the said competition. One of these rules is that the meter shall be in a good working condition and that the reading shall be real and not estimated. 105 out of 380 subscribers were qualified to compete in winning the offered awards.
Al Abri said that the company carries out currently a technical evaluation for a new generation of Air Conditioners that work with hybrid power (Solar Electric) for the first time in the Sultanate. He explained that the AC is the biggest electrical device to consume power at houses.
The Director-general of MEDC confirmed that if this AC proves its technical and economic merit, it could be reliable in conserving the electrical power more efficiently.