UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
(OVERVIEW OF UAE FASHION INDUSTRY & SWOT ANALYSIS) OVERVIEW OF UAE FASHION INDUSTRY
• United Arab Emirates comprises of 7 states/emirates namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm-al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The capital and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. It is also the country's center of political, industrial, and cultural activities.
• The United Arab Emirates has the world's seventh largest oil reserves and possesses one of the most developed economies in West Asia.
• The UAE's population was estimated at 8.19 million, of which just under 20% were UAE nationals or Emiratis, while the majority of the population are expatriates. The country's net migration rate stands at 22.98, the world's highest.
• The United Arab Emirates is classified as a high-income developing economy by the IMF.
• Dubai is world’ s fastest growing city, with construction of 4 largest manmade islands, the worlds largest shopping mall - Dubai mall, the tallest tower – Burj Khalifa.
• Number of major fashion events held in the Emirates more than doubled from four in 2004 to nine in 2008. In Dubai, the fashion scene is radically different from London or Paris as it caters to buyers from a cross section of cultures with vastly different tastes and preferences.(Grail Research)
• The region is becoming more fashion conscious by every year. After India, Russia and China, the UAE is the fourth most-valuable retail market in the world. The apparel market in 2009 was worth $12 billion and is expected to grow by 15% over the course of 2010, according to a study conducted by the French Fashion University Esmod – Dubai, a leading fashion institution in the region. Rising purchasing power and strong consumer confidence are driving the retail industry. There is also a growing trend of mall culture. Growing urbanisation is also a factor in the buoyancy of the retail sector
• The textile sector is characterized