The hard economic conditions Egypt is facing have taken their toll on this year's Cairo International Fair, reports Nesma Nowar This year's CIF is suffering from weak demand Under the slogan of "Egypt: Gateway of Trade", the 44th Cairo International Fair (CIF) is being held from 15 to 23 April at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Centre (CICC). The CIF is a multi-sector annual fair which aims at creating favourable conditions for local and foreign enterprises and trade organisations to search for business partners, expand markets, develop production, peruse export and import activities as well as showcase new products and services. The CIF showcases a broad range of products including textile and carpets, furniture, construction materials, machinery and equipment, fashion items, cosmetics and electric household appliances. However, this year's fair differs from those held in the past few years. "This year's edition is completely different from previous ones. Our pavilion used to be packed, but this year we hardly see anyone even entering," said an employee at one of the participating companies. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly on condition of anonymity, the employee said the change is due to the hard economic conditions that the country faces, which in turn have affected customers' purchasing power. "I do not think it is right to set up any exhibitions in this period of time. People have no money to buy things," he said. Neemat Fekri, an employee at a decorative items company, agreed that this year's fair has witnessed a sharp decline in the number of visitors. However, Fekri attributed the decline to the fact that the fair is not being held at the usual time and place. The CIF is regularly held in the second week of March and ends before Mother's Day at the CIF grounds in Nasr City, Cairo. Fekri believes that there was not enough promotion done for this year's fair, to let people know about the change in timing and location. "It is not about a decline in people's purchasing power," Fekri told the Weekly. "It is all about the lack of advertising. Our company ran its own fair last month. We made good profits and sold all our items." Meanwhile, Fekri added that her company is losing out now as it cannot cover the rent costs to exhibit at the fair. "Today I only sold items worth LE40, and the previous days have not been any better," she said. According to Islam Ahmed, another employee at the same company, all exhibitors in the fair have been negatively affected by the shortage of visitors. "Several exhibitors have thought about ending their showcase early and withdrawing from the fair," Ahmed told the Weekly. This year's CIF was also different for foreign enterprises. One Syrian participant said this is the first time he has seen the CIF suffer such a weak demand, and although he has showcased better quality products and made attractive offers in a bid to attract customers, he has failed to make any profits. "It would be a total loss if the number of people visiting the fair stayed at this declined rate," the Syrian exhibitor added.
