UAE footwear imports tripled in five years - footwearbiz: Leading site

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UAE footwear imports tripled in five years

10/10/2006

According to an Emirates Industrial Bank report, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imported leather and sports footwear worth Dh750 million ($200 million) in 2005, compared with Dh270 million in 2000, a growth of around 300% in the last five years, led by demand for leather shoes. The increase in demand has been attributed to the rapidly growing population and an increasing number of tourist shoppers, who constitute 30-40% of footwear sales.

The report indicated that there is a significant demand for leather sandals, which are mostly worn by UAE citizens. There is also a large market for casual plastic and rubber footwear, which is almost entirely imported from East Asian countries. China is a significant source for non-leather and lower-end footwear.

There are just seven footwear manufacturers in the UAE. Two are located in Dubai, three in Ajman and one in Sharjah and Al Ain.


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