Apollo Opens First Regional Office In Dubai To Triple Sales To About $300m In The Next 3 To 5 Years And Grab 10% Of Market Share

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India’s leading tyre manufacturer, the US$ 2 billion Apollo Tyres Ltd, announced recently its plans for the Middle East market at a media gathering in Dubai. The region will be catered to by exports out of India, with Dubai as the hub of operations.

The region has traditionally been one of Apollo’s strongest export markets, out of India, accounting for about 30% of export revenues. The company already has a distribution network in the Middle East, spanning 14 countries and 23 Business Partners. The Middle East also has infrastructure and tyre usage very similar to India’s, which is why Apollo’s products have always enjoyed high acceptance in the region.

Dubai, as the world’s largest free trade zone with strong financial systems and legislation, is the perfect business destination. Dubai is also strategically located with easy access to the 1.5 billion strong consumer market in the GCC, West Asia, Africa and East Europe. Dubai itself is the largest tyre distribution hub in the region, and provides a booming domestic market with 1 car to every 1.8 individual.

“As a company we are currently in our 2nd phase of global expansion. The Middle East region has always been a natural extension of our markets in India. Our tyres have enjoyed a very high demand in the region, for years now. However, due to capacity constraints at our end, we have not been able to fulfill the local demand. I am happy that we have crossed that. With an active sales and service team based here, we will now be able to provide our customers in the Middle East the service and operational excellence they deserve.” Said Satish Sharma, Chief, India Operations, Apollo Tyres Ltd.

“We plan to triple sales to roughly $250-$300 million in the next three to five years. The Middle East is our biggest export market, representing about 30-40 per cent of our export earnings. The equity of our brand is much ahead of its availability in the market”. He added.

To this end, Apollo recently opened its first and largest office outside its operations in India, Southern Africa and The Netherlands. This 2,000 square feet office located in the JAFZA Free Economic Zone will be the company’s base in Dubai, and the reporting base for employees in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Apart from an office, the company has also taken up an expandable 10,000 square feet of warehousing space in Dubai, to stock its tyres locally for speedy demand fulfillment in the region. This also enables Business Partners to have low inventories, cutting down on stocking costs; the ability to pay in local currency with no bank charges, and of course faster demand fulfillment to the end customer.

“The office, network of employees and local warehousing facility will allow us to address customer demands effectively; while our entire range of tyres tuned to this market, along with our service proposition, will allow us product leadership over time,” mentioned Satish Sharma, Chief, India Operations, Apollo Tyres Ltd. He added: “This is a high potential market, where the Dubai tyre distribution and re-export trade is valued at US$ 1.5 billion, and expected to grow by 30% in the next 5 years. In that time frame I am looking at Apollo garnering a high single digit, if not 10%, of this market’s share.”

Apollo Tyres has already invested around US$ 2,50,000 in creating appropriate permanent infrastructure for its business needs in Dubai; and is projecting investments and expenses of around US$ 1.5 million on an annual level, starting this year.
 

ART Marine Announces Record Sales Of AED 240 Million At The Dubai International Boat Show

ART Marine LLC, an Abraaj Capital portfolio company and the Middle East’s largest importer and distributor of luxury motoryachts, has announced AED 240 million worth of sales at the Dubai International Boat Show, a record by a single exhibitor at this year’s event.

Contracted sales include a 54 metre Benetti, the largest superyacht sold at the show, and a 28 metre Azimut 95, plus six other boats and various other leisure marine products. The Dubai International Boat Show is the largest international boat show in the Middle East, and one of the top five in the world.

Constantinos Constantinou, ART Marine President and CEO said: "These are strong results. The quality products represented by ART Marine, along with our reputation for providing the ultimate in customer service, have once again shown our unrivalled commitment to our clients. Azimut and Benetti are widely recognised as leading names in luxury in the yachting world, and our customers appreciate the level of innovation and sophistication they represent. Product launches from our other world-class brands of Grady White, Riviera and Four Winns, were received with equal enthusiasm. Last but not least, our Marine Products Division and our Marina Division celebrated their first participation at the show and attracting the keen interest of many show visitors.”

Trixee Loh, SVP, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event, said the record-breaking sales are an excellent reflection of the highly positive attitude of both the buyers and exhibitors in the leisure marine industry. “We have seen a renewed energy and vigour among all participants at the show and the volume of business is indicative of the market’s strength and depth in the Middle East. The world’s leading leisure marine companies and brands from across five continents come to the Dubai International Boat Show, safe in the knowledge that the event is the ultimate sales channel where they will meet the serious, discerning buyers they are targeting. The venue is stunning, the boats are spectacular and the business opportunities are unrivalled.”

ART Marine, the largest exhibitor at the Dubai International Boat show, and the region’s exclusive dealer for Benetti, Azimut, Atlantis and Riviera yachts, unveiled nine regional launches at the event from Azimut, Atlantis, Four Winns, Grady White. The Dubai Boat Show also marked the official launch of the company’s Marine Products Division.

 

Al-Futtaim Travel Appointed Preferred Sales Agent For Jazeera Airways In Dubai

Al-Futtaim Travel, a leading corporate and leisure travel management company, today announced that it has been appointed as the preferred sales agent for Jazeera Airways, the award-wining airline with 18 destinations across the Gulf and the greater Middle East.

The agreement was signed by William Horsley, General Manager of Al-Futtaim Travel and Rethah AL-Mousawi, Regional Manager – GCC, Yemen & Indian Subcontinent, Jazeera Airways. The agreement will see the Al-Futtaim group company provide various distribution and marketing channels for Jazeera Airways at strategic locations across the UAE.

Mr. Horsley said: “We are extremely honoured to represent Jazeera Airways in the UAE. This agreement further endorses our market-leading position as a corporate and leisure travel management company.

“Our team will give our full support and cooperation to grow the airlines business in the country. We are confident we can offer great value to our customers travelling to any of the 18 destinations flown by Jazeera Airways,” he added.

Mr. AL-Mousawi said: “We are excited about this new partnership and confident that Al-Futtaim Travel’s experience and its established network will help connect more people in Dubai to Jazeera Airways great product. We look forward to serving Al-Futtaim Travel’s customers on board Jazeera Airways.”

Serving Dubai since 2005, Jazeera Airways operates one of the Gulf’s youngest fleets with an average monthly on-time performance of 95%. The airline offers the best value-for-money economy class and business class in the Middle East.

For economy class passengers, Jazeera Airways offers incredibly competitive fares to popular destinations across the Middle East throughout the year, a checked-in baggage allowance of 40kgs for free and in-flight complimentary meals service for all passengers.

For business class passengers, the airline offers all the amenities of economy class plus a separate cabin for business class passengers with an upgraded meal service, exclusive check-in counters, and business lounge access.

Jazeera Airways flies to the Middle East’s most popular destinations including Beirut, Deir Ezzor, Doha, Luxor, Assiut, Amman, Sharm El Sheikh, Aleppo, Bahrain, Alexandria, Damascus, Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Mashhad and provides the best service and value for money.

Customers looking for special offers and to make bookings on Jazeera Airways can contact the dedicated email Jazeeraairways@alfuttaim.ae or visit the Al-Futtaim Travel office at Al Riqqa, Deira (04 217 7500/6) or the retail outlet at Dubai Festival City (04 206 6800) or the office at Mall of the Emirates (04 341 0237/8).

 

Dubai Airport Freezone Sales Registers 23% Increase In 2010

Dubai Airport Freezone, home to some of the world’s major corporates, registered an impressive 23 per cent increase in sales in 2010, as compared to the previous year, disclosed HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone.

This growth was driven by the increasing numbers of new companies and expansion by existing companies working in the Freezone. Out of the 102 new companies registered in 2010 in the Freezone, 28 per cent are from Europe, 27 per cent from the Middle East & Gulf region, 21 per cent from Asia and the rest from the USA, Japan and other countries.

Aviation companies form the largest segment in the Freezone with 14%, followed by the electronics sector with 11%, followed by engineering, computer, cargo advisory services and consultancy companies.

The activities of the companies in the Freezone are segmented into two major areas including trade which represents 68% and service sector representing 32%, which comes in line with the mechanics of the global economy in which trade plays the biggest part.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone, was pleased with these results. He underlined the achievements and growth rates accomplished in Freezone during 2010, despite the economic challenges faced by the global and local economies. HH Sheikh Ahmed was also certain about Dubai Airport Freezone’s ability to overcome all the economic challenges and achieve the goal of sustainable development in the coming years.

"The achievements in the past years are part of the unique strategy of the Freezone. The Freezone will continue to sustain performance, quality and development, helping it to enter the foreign markets in future, which is one of the objectives and priorities. We aim to achieve 20% growth in sales by the end of this year as compared to last year," he said.

HH Sheikh Ahmed added the Dubai Airport Freezone has made Emiratization Strategy one of its priorities in order to give opportunities for national cadres to run the institution. Last year the Freezone recruited 125 national staff, bringing the total number of UAE national employees to 201. Emiratis currently hold 100% of the top management positions at the Freezone, while 74 per cent of the middle management are also nationals.

"Dubai Airport Freezone is committed to select staff with high competencies and expertise and pays attention to quality human resources, as they are the most important elements of the production process. We will develop our human resources and implement a motivational system for our employees," HH Sheikh Ahmed said.

HH Sheikh Ahmed considered the human element as fundamental to the success of any institution and the basis to gain competitive strength and maintain it, in light of the economic challenges and transformations taking place in the world. This has helped Dubai Airport Freezone to emerge as an effective economic power locally and globally.

"23% growth in sales of leasable spaces in 2010 for the European, Gulf and Asian companies in different sectors is a positive result which can be built on in the current year. This necessitates focusing on the industrial markets to attract more foreign investments," HH Sheikh Ahmed added.

He said: "Registering 102 new companies last year was excellent, given the current global economic conditions. We will redouble our efforts to increase the number of investors through promotional programs that suit the needs of the targeted markets, meet customer requirements and exceed their expectations in terms of service delivery and streamlined procedures."
The increasing number of multinational companies in the Freezone confirms the commitment of the Dubai Airport Freezone to provide world class services and facilities that have helped to attract these companies. These results will further motivate the management to put more effort to promote growth rates and reinforce the concepts of customer service.

HH Sheikh Ahmed noted that the increasing number of investors from the aviation industry, automotive industry and information technology is positive evidence of the Freezone’s trend towards advanced industries and their need to bring in more of knowledge economy with its advanced tools.

HH Sheikh Ahmed also asserted the need for continuous improvement in the work environment and the need to keep pace with the requirements of investors. "We are committed to continue developing the investment environment. The world class facilities and services we provide have helped to attract international brands in many sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies industry, aviation, telecommunications, electronics, spare parts, auto industry, oil and natural gas.” Sheikh Ahmed concluded.
 

First Sales At Stunning Supercar Promenade

The inaugural Supercar Promenade, running alongside the 19th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show is expected to attract sales running well into the millions by the end of event according to one of the exhibitors. High performance tuning and customising specialist Brabus has already secured an impressive sale and is looking to make many more.

Michael Kuepferle, General Manager, Brabus Middle East said: The interest has been phenomenal and it’s not just a case of curiosity, we are expecting more imminent sales. The visitors who are serious about buying some of the amazing yachts and boats at the show take a closer look at the spectacular Brabus vehicles we have on display and realise that it is the same state-of-the-art technology they know from the marine industry. Our sales here could easily run into millions of dirhams.”

Among the unique cars on display, Brabus are parading the Brabus 800, on show for the first time ever in the Middle East. The 800 horse power, 6.3 litre luxury sedan can accelerate from a standing start to 100kph in 3.9 seconds and has an incredible top speed of 350kph.

Bentley has two supercars on display and has also had serious enquiries from potential buyers. “The flow of visitor traffic has been excellent,” said George Duncan, General Manager, Bentley Emirates. “This is a region famous for its love of luxury cars and many of the visitors to the boat show are exactly the same as Bentley’s target audience. This is a good region for Bentley and the Supercar Promenade fits in perfectly for us and the event. It’s a great opportunity to introduce the brand, reaffirm its position as one of the leading high end manufacturers and ultimately confirm sales.”

Among the other exhibitors enjoying new leads and high numbers of visitors, Rolls-Royce, Hamann, Invader and Porsche are all showing their latest models including the brand new 911 Carrera.

Trixee Loh, SVP, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event said: “The early success of the Supercar Promenade shows that the positioning alongside the Dubai International Boat Show is perfect for luxury brand buyers. The superyacht and supercar target markets are very similar, catering to an audience who appreciate exclusive and elite brands and Dubai is one of the leading destinations to bring those elements together.”

The Supercar Promenade runs alongside the Dubai International Boat Show until March 5, Saturday, at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mena Seyahi. The Dubai International Boat Show has extended its hours due to increased demand and is now is open to visitors from 3pm to 9.30pm. Complete event details are available at www.boatshowdubai.com.
 

Ducab Reports Record AED3.6bn Sales In 2010

Ducab—one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality power cables in the Middle East—has announced today (April 27 2011) during a press conference held in Dubai, record sales of AED 3.6bn for 2010, representing a 51% increase over the previous year and 47% volume growth with full realisation of copper rod capacity. Going forward this year, despite the global economic downturn and a rise in copper prices, Ducab anticipates a further increase in volumes of about 15% compared to 2010.

Ducab has seen a successful 2010 despite competitive margin pressures, with the company’s local UAE market share maintained at between 33 and 50 percent, depending on the cable segment. Last year’s record of AED 3.6bn comprised cable and wire sales of AED2.2bn whilst the external sales of copper rod accounted for the balance AED1.4bn. Significant areas of growth included 22% higher sales to Utilities and a 143% increase in sales to the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical sector.

Ahmad Al Shaikh, Chairman of Ducab, attributed the company’s success to expansion into new sectors and markets within the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as the addition of eight new product ranges to the company’s portfolio. Cost and efficiency improvement contributed too with savings of AED 17m achieved through operational efficiencies and cost optimisation initiatives. In 2010 Ducab repaid, on the due dates, AED 182 million and pre-paid 100mn, representing 35% of term finance obtained for such previous expansions. Ducab’s shareholders equity has also increased by AED 100mn by the end of 2010, besides a dividend payout of 50mn.

Looking ahead to further expansion Ahmad Al Shaikh highlighted Ducab HV, the AED500m joint venture project with DEWA and ADWEA as 25% partners, “This exciting project is nearing completion and will be the major addition to the product range this year; catapulting Ducab to the next level with Extra High Voltage cable systems up to 400kV produced in a world class facility here in the UAE”.

“Last year was a very challenging period worldwide for an industry such as ours, where real estate and construction are major drivers of demand, and the Middle East market was no exception,” says Ahmad Al Shaikh. “Fortunately, infrastructure projects and energy investment throughout the GCC have been counter-cyclical in this downturn and have provided some compensation for the construction slowdown. Ducab managed to grow despite the market condition and increased competition in the region”. Ducab also continues to invest in identifying Emirati talent for various functions across the business with significant progress made last year in training and development of young Emiratis.

“We will continue to focus on Ducab’s traditional strengths of customer service and product quality, with the strong belief that such commitment to high quality and exceptional value will continue to drive the sale of Ducab cables and allied products across the region”, Al Shaikh concluded.

Ducab cables & copper products are currently sold in over 40 countries worldwide across Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Far East in Asia. Approximately 65-70% of Ducab’s total sales are currently made within the UAE market.
 

Dubai International Boat Show: Worldwide Sales Expected To Reach AED 1 Billion

Dubai International Boat Show rounded off a week of records with exhibitors’ sales expected to reach AED 1 billion as a direct result of the show. Exhibitors and visitors from across five contents hailed the event as one of the most successful and impressive shows in recent years.

With more than 750 international companies and brands taking part, Dubai International Boat Show attracted more than 26,000 visitors and recorded around AED 500 million worth of onsite sales, with exhibitors expecting around the same value to come, making the show the most effective springboard for many companies looking to expand into the region and beyond.

ART Marine, one of the boat show’s largest exhibitors reported record-breaking sales totaling AED 240 million during the show, with more to come as a result of their participation. “The Dubai International Boat Show has been a leading networking platform and a premier showcase event for the leisure marine industry in the Middle East,” said Constantinos Constantinou, CEO, ART Marine. “These are strong results and the quality products represented by ART Marine, along with our reputation for providing the ultimate in customer service, have once again shown our unrivalled commitment to our clients.”

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event said: “This event not only confirms that the leisure marine industry has a strong and a healthy future in the Middle East, it also illustrates the show’s fundamental importance as a business channel to the rest of the world. For nearly two decades the Dubai International Boat Show has driven the industry to push new boundaries, both financially and geographically and this year’s edition has reinforced its position as one of the five top boat shows in the world as a sales and business platform.”

Gulf Craft, who have been participating in Dubai International Boat Show since its first edition in 1992 introduced four world launches and recorded sales at this year’s show of AED 70 million. Mohammed Hussain Alshaali, Chairman, Gulf Craft commented: \\\”The Dubai International Boat Show has cemented its position as a prominent show in the international boating calendar. Gulf Craft continues to consider the event as one of its most important marketing platforms of the year, launching four new designs to the world in 2011. It is the ideal opportunity for prospective owners to gain first-hand experience of the quality, craftsmanship, and value for money that have made Gulf Craft a major player in the international market for luxury yachts and leisure craft.\\\”

One of the show’s many spectacular highlights was the record sale of a 40 metre Sunseeker superyacht, which was bought for AED 100 million. Arif Oomer, Director, Sunseeker Middle East said: “This show is indisputably the Middle East’s flagship event for the marine industry, and for exhibitors there is no better business platform. The calibre and quality of the visitors to this event is consistently exceptionally high and the international contingent this year is more impressive than ever.”

The show set off at a lightning pace, when a AED 1.4 million fishing cruiser on display at Al Dhaen’s stand was sold less than an hour after the show’s opening ceremony. Abdulla Alfahal, Director Administration of Al Dhaen Group from Bahrain, said: “This has been a wonderful show for us and the sales results are fantastic. The Dubai Boat Show is known not just through the Middle East, but internationally and it is the ultimate event to conduct business. I leave this show with five out of seven boats sold onsite and I expect many more orders to follow. We are the proof that this show is essential for all marine businesses in the global as well as regional market.” One of the deals to be signed after attending the show includes an order from the Government of Sudan for 45 boats worth AED 18.5 million.

Many new international exhibitors at the show confirmed it as one of the most impressive events on the international marine calendar. “I would without question put this event on a par with Monaco and it could certainly teach Fort Lauderdale a few lessons about putting on a truly international boat show,” said Howard Rogers, Director of Marketing at UMT Marine, a marine technology and innovation company based in Florida, which was making its debut this year. “We have visited boats shows all over the world for the last 15 years and Dubai has been an exceptional experience, particularly in spending time with some of the largest superyacht companies and the business that leads to. It is a superb trade generator for worldwide marine businesses.”

More than 425 breathtaking yachts and boats on water and dry land, and dedicated supplies and luxury services areas attracted a host of leading international exhibitors. Bangladesh, Belgium, Czech Republic, Monaco, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Ukraine all joined the show’s growing list of global participants.

Mary-Anne Edwards, CEO, Australian International Marine Export Group, the globally recognised brand for the Australian marine industry, said: “Interest in the Australian Pavilion was high with all exhibitors either making sales or some excellent leads and contacts. In fact, it was felt the business done at the show was for some at least double previous years. The Dubai International Boat Show is a vital platform for the Australian exhibitors, it attracts businesses from all over the world, including those from key growth markets such as India and Russia, and the response they have received from this event is excellent on all business levels.”

The event attracted visitors and boating professionals from across the world, from enthusiasts to fanatics. “I have visited boat shows in Europe and the US, and Dubai is certainly one of the best for browsing as well as buying. The international brands ensure that everything is here from the huge superyachts to diving kits, and the whole ambience makes for an outstanding event,” said Sean Bayliss from the United States.

The prestige of the show was again highlighted with a record number of global premieres and regional launches. Eleven boats and other marine products were unveiled for the first time anywhere in the world and thirty were put on sale for the first time in the Middle East.

Chris Tanner, Director of Wave Craft, a marine performance company from Hampshire in the UK, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic show for us. We took part in the Southampton boat show last year and the Florida Boat Show just before we came to Dubai and sold around a third of our stock at each event. At the Dubai International Boat Show, we completely sold out and are still taking orders for more. To sell three times as many products as we did at two of the other most famous shows in the world is a testament to the success of the show and the target audience it attracts.”

The 19th edition of Dubai International Boat Show welcomed more members of the world’s most prestigious superyacht builders association (SYBAss) than ever before in its history. Eleven of the most illustrious names gathered together for the first time in Dubai. “The Dubai International Boat Show is a vital platform for some of the most impressive and best known superyacht builders and a natural choice for the highest calibre companies,” said Michael Breman, Sales Director, Lürssen Yachts, and President of SYBAss. “And this event is by far the best in the Middle East to both illustrate and increase Lürssen’s international success.”

Federers Return To Dubai Set To See Ticket Sales Soar

The Dubai Tennis Stadium will come alive from the 14th to 26th February with 3 of the top 5 ATP and 7 of the top 10 WTA ranked players on the professional circuit confirming their attendance to compete in the 2011 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Dubai Duty Free, the owners and organisers of the region’s only WTA Premier 5 and ATP 500 tour events are expecting the demand for tickets to be exceptionally strong and are asking fans to act quickly to secure their grandstand seats.

“Since its inception in 1993 we, at Dubai Duty Free, have been very proud of this tournament, and the welcomed return of Roger Federer, alongside many of the top stars, is testament to the stature of our event and the popularity of Dubai” said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director Dubai Duty Free.

Leading the line-up is 16 time Grand Slam winner, four-time former Dubai champion, former World No. 1 and current No. 2 Roger Federer who, after a two-year injury-related hiatus, is set on staking his claim on an unprecedented fifth title. Standing alongside Federer in this line-up is Great Britain’s favourite tennis son, fourth-ranked Andy Murray, who is hoping to make it all the way in 2011, as well as defending champion Novak Djokovic who is looking to match Federer’s record by making Dubai three in a row.

Also aiming to make history is holder of 41 WTA Tour titles, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, current women’s defending champion, and fifth-ranked, Venus Williams, who will also be defending her trophy for the third time, and who will be firmly in the sights of WTA World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and second-ranked Vera Zvonareva.

Grandstand tickets for both the WTA and ATP events are priced at Dhs50 for the opening rounds rising to Dhs 250 for the finals.

Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are available from the Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud which opens at 10am on January 10th until 9pm daily, as well as from Time Out Tickets online at www.timeouttickets.com. For further information about tickets, prices and the tournament, visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or phone the call centre on +971 4 358 9797.
 

Art Dubai Wraps Up Fifth Edition With Strong Sales And Record Attendance

The largest and most diverse edition to date, Art Dubai experienced strong sales during its 2011 presentation from 16-19 March and attracted more than 20,000 guests, with a 30 percent increase in international visitors. Underscoring its role as a vital cultural meeting point connecting the Middle East and Asia with the rest of the world, Art Dubai 2011 was attended by curators, collectors, gallerists, artists, museum directors and more than 60 museum groups.

Of the 81 participating galleries, the majority experienced strong sales from the outset with major purchases from international and regional institutions in addition to established and first-time collectors from the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the United States. A number of participating galleries, including Chatterjee & Lal and Chemould Prescott Road (Mumbai), BISCHOFF/WEISS (London), Kalfayan Galleries (Athens /Thessaloniki), Sutton Gallery (Melbourne), Mah Art Gallery (Tehran), AB Gallery (Lucerne/Zurich), Grey Noise (Lahore), Gandhara-art (Hong Kong/Karachi), Pilar Corrias (London), Dirimart (Istanbul), Priska C. Juschka Fine Art (New York) and GALLERY ISABELLE VAN DEN EYNDE (Dubai) among others sold most of their available works at the fair.

“Spring 2011 marks a shift in the cultural life of the Gulf,” said Fair Director Antonia Carver, who is in her inaugural year leading Art Dubai. “Never before has there been such a level of international interest in the arts scenes of the MENASA or such a level of regional support for artists and their projects. Galleries at Art Dubai 2011 reported strong sales and the fair offered an unprecedented level of innovative artists’ projects and educational events, which we feel are part of what makes this fair unique.”

Exhibitors offered positive reports of their experience at the fair, including:

“Art Dubai has been really successful for us,” said Paola Weiss of BISCHOFF/WEISS (London). “I’ve noticed that there is now a solid Middle Eastern collector base, which has grown immensely over the past two years and now stands out to me. In general people seem more interested in collecting. Furthermore, arts patronage has really started to show.”

“We’ve had a great experience here,” said Adrian Turner, Senior Director, Marianne Boesky Gallery (New York). “Everyone seems very warm and inviting and we’ve accomplished more than we’d hoped. We’re coming back.”

“I had a great experience here at Art Dubai and really met a lot of people who are very interested in our work,” said Sappho Ma, Gallery Director, Connoisseur Contemporary (Hong Kong). “And equally important—the fair was satisfying as a human experience; great people, great parties and a great spirit.”

“Despite showing an artist with a proven track record in the region, we were overwhelmed by response both in terms of critical reception and sales,” said Mortimer Chatterjee of Chatterjee & Lal (Mumbai).

This year also saw particularly strong attendance from the more than 400 exhibited artists representing 57 countries, including Diana Al-Hadid, Liu Ding, Shezad Dawood, Hrair Sarkissian, Raafat Ishak, Slavs and Tatars, Timo Nasseri, Oraib Toukan, Wafaa Bilal, Sebastian Lütgert, Farhad Moshiri, Charlie Koolhaas, Natascha Sadr Haghighian, Kamrooz Aram, Nabil Nahas, Abhishek Hazra, Kader Attia, Walid Raad and Nadia Kaabi-Linke.

Coinciding with Sharjah Biennial 10, the fifth edition of Art Dubai was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Her Royal Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum hosted Ladies Day at Art Dubai.

The international art world turned out to Art Dubai 2011 in record numbers, including museum groups and representatives from Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (Qatar), Qatar Museums Authority, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation (New York), MoMA (New York), Tate Modern (London), Hong Kong Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney), Centre Pompidou (Paris), Sotheby’s Institute, Performa (New York), and Cartier Foundation (Paris).

In addition to exploring a range of galleries from 34 countries, guests of Art Dubai witnessed engaging conversations through the Global Art Forum and other panel programmes, with speakers including Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director, Exhibitions and Programmes, and Director of International Projects, Serpentine Gallery; Rashid Rana, artist; Germano Celant, Director, Fondazione Prada; Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder, Barjeel Art Foundation; Wassan Al Khudhairi, Director, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; and Vasif Kortun, Director of Research and Programs, SALT, and Curator, UAE Pavilion for the Venice Biennale 2011. In its fifth year, the Forum developed through a partnership between Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH), Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Bahrain, and was the most collaborative yet. The first day of the Forum took place in Doha, and Mathaf and ADACH hosted events at the fair to capacity audiences. Alongside the Forum, this year launched a series of talks titled On Collecting and a series of practical workshops for the local arts community, which included speakers such as Ziba Ardalan, Founder and Director, Parasol Unit; Linda Komaroff, Curator of Islamic Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); and collectors Susan and Michael Hort.

Art Dubai Live, a new ongoing initiative, launched on 19 March at www.artdubailive.ae. All galleries’ booths are represented on the site with interviews filmed throughout the fair. Visitors to the site can also watch footage of the programmes that took place during this year’s physical fair, as well as those in the past.

MARKER, a new platform for experimental art spaces from Asia and the Middle East, curated by Nav Haq, also debuted this year. The section included five dynamic project spaces that presented new projects conceived specifically for Art Dubai. “Being part of MARKER was a very exciting and fruitful experience,” said Umer Butt, Director of Grey Noise (Lahore). “Overall, I thought Art Dubai 2011 was very successful and is a brilliant platform for a gallery from Pakistan who otherwise might not get as much exposure to international audiences.”

Art Dubai Projects included a rich programme of new works and interactive performances. Art Park, curated by Bidoun Projects, returned with retrospectives of film and video works by Wael Shawky and Sherif El-Azma, a performance by Lebanese filmmaker-artists Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, and daily talks and workshops. Some of the UAE’s most promising young artists and designers presented their upcoming projects and debated the future of the cultural scene of the Gulf at THE BIG IDEA.

Visitors to the fair were the first in the world to see the completed works of the five recipients of the third annual Abraaj Capital Art Prize (ACAP). Footnote to a Project*, a specially commissioned book project tracing the process of production for each artist’s work for ACAP 2011, launched on the fair’s closing day.
 

Christies Sales Soar In Dubai

2010 TOTAL RESULT – $29 million
2009 TOTAL RESULT- $13 million
REPRESENTS 117 % INCREASE

Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, announced that tonight’s sale of International Modern and Contemporary Art in Dubai made $14,043,000 / AED 51,565,896, more than doubling the pre-sale estimate of $6.7 million and confirming Christie’s market leadership in the region. The auction was 94% sold by value and 84% sold by lot. The buyer breakdown by lot was 60% from the Middle East, 28% from Europe, 10% from the Americas and 2% from Asia. The sale concludes a record year for Christie’s in contemporary Middle Eastern art, with an increase of 117 percent over 2009.

Jussi Pylkkänen, President of Christie’s Middle East and Europe, said: “A packed saleroom, a team of 20 Christie’s staff manning the telephones and internet bidding from around the world, helped to make tonight’s auction both successful and hugely memorable. The sale achieved $7.3 million over our pre-sale expectations and saw record numbers of clients registering to bid, with nearly 200 registrants from 23 countries. The 30 works from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi collection were again 100% sold and saw a huge increase in international interest in Egyptian art. We were delighted to see Mahmoud Said’s Whirling Dervishes sell for a world record $2,546,500 making it the most expensive Middle Eastern painting ever sold. Following the trend of the Frieze art sales in London two weeks ago, tonight’s auction here in Dubai had a tremendous spring in its step.”

Michael Jeha, Managing Director of Christie’s in the Middle East, said: “In one year Christie’s Dubai achieved a 117% increase in the sale of Contemporary Middle Eastern art. Tonight, pictures for this sale were consigned from 15 different countries and, as a measure of the international interest in Middle Eastern art, they have been dispersed among buyers from 18 different countries. It is this diversity of consigning and buying that has helped to develop this market so quickly, transforming from a local to a regional and global force in just four years. ”

The evening’s highlight was the sale of masterpieces of Egyptian art collected by one of the greatest patrons of Middle Eastern art, Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi, which realised $6,731,750. The Whirling Dervishes, 1929, a spectacular early work by Mahmoud Said sold for $2,546,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $300,000 to $400,000. The work surpassed the recently established world auction record for the artist by $100,000 (previous record: Christies Dubai, April 2010 for Les Chadoufs at $2.4 million). The final part of the Farsi collection to come to auction, a group of 40 works by Egyptian artists, will be offered at Christie’s in Paris on 9 November, 2010.

The highlight among the Iranian Art was a large oil on canvas triptych by the leading artist Mohammed Ehsai (b. 1939) which sold for $662,500 / AED 2,432,700. Entitled Banquet and painted in 2009, the monochrome black and white design reflects his fascination with calligraphy and was estimated at $350,000-500,000. Afshin Pirhashemi’s (b. 1974) Seduction, exploring the complexities of life in today’s Iran, reached $518,500 / AED 1,903,932 against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000-120,000 and Farhad Moshiri’s (b. 1963), Love, a rare example from early in his Jars series, sold for $422,500 / AED1,551,420 (estimate: $150,000-250,000).

Eight works by the Syrian Artist Fateh Moudarres (1922-1999) including Untitled from circa 1970, which sold for $374,500 / AED1,375,164 (estimate: $140,000-180,000) and established a new world auction record for the artist. Another Syrian highlight which saw strong bidding was for The Ice Cream Seller by Louay Kayyali (1934-1978), depicting a young boy from a dispossessed working-class, a theme the artist was best-known for, was bought for $98,500 / AED361,692.

Strong prices were established for Lebanese Art when two works by Paul Guiragossian were offered. La Foule, 1987, was knocked down at $110,500 / AED405,756 (estimate: 100,000-130,000) and the artist’s Claire Obscure sold for a new auction record price at $242,500 / AED890,460.

Turkish Art was strongly represented throughout the sale and the top price was achieved for Fahrelnissa Zeid’s (Turkish / Jordanian 1900-1991) exuberant Dervishes, painted circa 1950s. Estimated at $80,000-100,000 it was sold for $158,500 / AED 582,012. A panoramic view of Istanbul by Devrim Erbil (b.1937) inspired by the jewel-like illustrations of the city by the 16th century Turkish artist Matrakci Nasuh, made $116,500 / AED427,788, a new world auction record for the artist.

Christie’s Dubai October season concludes tomorrow evening, October 27th, with the sale of Jewellery and Watches. Please refer to the top 10 document for further sale results.