UAE is world's 11th biggest clothing importer, with US$ 4 billion of imports in 2012, says WTO

Abu Dhabi: The UAE was the 11th biggest importer of clothes in 2012, according to the "International Trade Statistics 2013" report published by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with total imports of US$ 4 billion constituting 0.8 percent of the world's total imports. According to the same report, the figures represent a 13 per cent increase compared to 2011. The European Union topped the list, with an import value of US$ 170 billion, while the U.S. came second (US$ 88), Japan third (US$ 34) in the importers' list. These figures were released by Midhat M. Abu Ghazaleh, CEO, Abughazaleh Trading Company, (ABCO), a wholesale distributor and manufacturer of all types of apparel, footwear, luggage, hand bags and household products, who has been operating in the UAE since 1975. Abu Ghazaleh added, "Most of the clothes brands in the UAE work under a franchise structure or joint venture with a local partner, however, the trend is changing slowly as home-grown fashion brands are emerging to compete with international peers." The population growth that goes in parallel with an influx of tourists puts the UAE clothes industry in a strong position to grow and compete regionally and internationally, according to Abu Ghazaleh. He pointed out that there was a substantial growth in the call for designer apparel in the UAE in 2013. He added, "This growth was mainly driven by the huge increase in inbound tourists coming into Dubai on luxury shopping trips." Abu Ghazaleh said that Dubai Design District, which is set to be established in the Emirate as a full service commercial hub for design industry-related organisations, brands and supporting enterprises, will further fuel up the apparel clothing sector. "The Dubai retail industry is expected to grow to Dh151 billion over the next two years and the clothing industry is likely to get a significant chunk of this growth," concluded Abu Ghazaleh. – Emirates News Agency, WAM