Dubai’s direct trade in lighting equipment witnessed a robust growth last year, rising by 16.3 per cent compared to 2005, reflecting an expanding market for urban, architectural and retail lighting solutions across the region, say recent statistics.

According to data compiled by the Statistics Department of Dubai World, the trade in lighting equipment was worth Dh1.27 billion ($345.8 million) in 2006 – an increase of Dh179 million over the previous year.
Imports were valued at Dh955 million, while exports accounted for Dh20 million and re-exports totalled Dh298 million, highlighting the healthy market in countries around the UAE.
Adel Al Ashram, senior manager, Statistics Department, Dubai World’s Shared Services, attributed the growth to the burgeoning construction sector: “The UAE and the Gulf region are experiencing an ongoing period of prosperity. The substantial development we are witnessing in the retail, commercial and residential sectors is creating the requirement for an enormous amount of sophisticated lighting equipment and solutions. The rise in population in Dubai and the rest of the UAE has also contributed to the robust health of the lighting business.”
The statistics also list Dubai’s top five trading partners in the light fittings and equipment sector. Imports from China accounted for more than a third of the total and were worth Dh325.5 million, followed by Germany (Dh121.9 million), Italy (Dh108.6 million), the UK (Dh101 million) and the US (Dh54.4 million).
Dubai exported lighting equipment worth Dh3.5 million to Kuwait, Egypt (Dh2.4 million), Kenya (Dh1.1 million), UK (Dh914,000) and Pakistan (Dh888,000).
The figures for re-exports were: Iraq (Dh54 million), Iran (Dh41 million), Qatar (Dh21 million), Azerbaijan (Dh12 million) and Kuwait (Dh11 million).