day exhibition for agencies, franchises and trading opened Sunday at the Jeddah International Exhibitions and Forum Center with 85 exhibitors from major companies including companies and agencies of local and regional organizations, along with companies from 35 countries. The event, organized by the M.I.C.E Arabia Group with the cooperation with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, supports a number of sectors and small- and medium-sized enterprises, in addition to improving the structure of investment and business in Jeddah and Saudi Arabia, officials said. Mazen Batterjee, vice president of the Jeddah Chamber, inaugurated the exhibition, and looks forward to larger events of this nature. “Jeddah has big potential for business and investment and exhibitions and forums. As a chamber of commerce, we would like to help any company that wants to hold a forum or exhibition here.” “We are targeting international exhibitions for industries including medical care, pharmaceuticals and food commodities. In two to three years, people will see the difference,” he added. The Jeddah Chamber is planning to have 12 forums this year. Batterjee said simple rules and regulations make Saudi Arabia one of the best places for companies to come and do business because there are no taxes and local investment is very cheap. “They just have to come and invest and the market is there,” he said. Exhibition brands and franchises in 2011 include those in a number of industries including construction, electronics, furniture, telecommunications, mining, energy, computer accessories and consumer goods. There will be more business-oriented exhibitions in forums because officials have realized the importance of encouraging growth in various sectors, said, Elie I. Rizk, CEO of M.I.C.E Arabia Group.
