The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as an important destination for Indian merchandise exports, according to Walter D’Souza, Chairman of FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations), Southern Region.

D’Souza, who is a Mangalore-based cashew exporter, is leading an Indian delegation of over 100 exporters to the ‘India Expo 2014’, the trade exhibition and international buyer-seller meet, which will begin at Dubai on October 15.

He said that the UAE is registering the highest growth in merchandise exports over the past few years.

The bilateral trade between India and the UAE has grown from $43.46 billion in 2009-10 to over $60 billion in 2013-14. India has thus emerged as UAE’s top trading partner in 2013, representing 10 per cent share of the total foreign trade of the emirate. D’Souza hoped that the India Expo will result in foreign trade in excess of $20 billion.

He said that Dubai is emerging as the most potential destination for re-exports to the Gulf countries and the African continent.

The buyer-seller meet will facilitate one-to-one interactions for the Indian exporters and enhance the bilateral trade.

Over 100 Indian exporters from various sectors will exhibit their merchandise to over 350 registered importers from the Gulf countries and African region, besides Turkey and Pakistan, he said.

Stating that a focussed trade meet being organised by FIEO for the first time in the UAE, he said sectors such as agri-commodities, spices, processed food, wellness and beauty products, building and construction material, non-leather footwear, printing and packaging, readymade garments, textiles, handloom and handicrafts, jute products, animal feed and IT solutions are covered in the meet.

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