by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 8: Dubai shopping Festival Office (DSFO) and Dubai Gold & Jewelry Group (DGJG) were back in Mumbai on the 7th January 2008, in its last phase of its Global Announcements this year, to announce the Mega Dubai Shopping Festival to be conducted during January 24, 2008 and February 24, 2008. Keeping in tune with the historic, emotional and business ties that Dubai has with India, it is befitting that India is the only South Asian country to have the mega promotional launch of DSF in 2 cities, namely Kochi and Mumbai.

At a glittering function the DSF team reiterated the importance of Indian expatriates in the success of the festival and Laila Suhail, Chief Strategy Officer, DSFO said, “I am extremely happy to be back in India to announce the Dubai Shopping Festival Mega Promotion. We had an overwhelming response from our good friends and well wishers from India last year and we hope that more visitors come this year too. Dubai has a special relationship with India and I do hope that this year’s shopping festival opens a lot more opportunities to everyone.”

The function also unveiled an unprecedented array of gifts and prizes amounting to an estimated Rs.31 Crores, to be either given away as gifts or won as prizes during the festival.  Among the gifts and prizes announced were a total of 32 Kilos of gold, 90 Lexus Cars, 43 Nissan cars and cash prizes amounting to Crores of Rupees. Apart from this are the attractive gifts and prizes on offer by the participating malls.

Dubai Gold and Jewelry Group is responsible for promoting and improving the gold and jewelry trade in Dubai. Founded in 1996 with more than 750 members, the Group has been part of the Dubai Shopping Festival as one of the Key Sponsors since its inception.     Announcing the details of the gold winning bonanza, Mr. Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director, Dubai Gold & Jewelry Group (DGJG) remarked during the inauguration, “In the last 12 years Dubai, the City of Gold has given away 615 Kilos of gold as winnings and this year another 32 kilos is all ready to be won. Befittingly, most of our winners were the gifted people from India.”  He added that this year’s unique attractions include the Palm Island and Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world.   

Other mega entertainments announced were the Dubai Fashion, hosting designer wear by top international fashion houses, the Night Souq with its Bargain Night Shopping, Dubai Carnival, House of talents, Guinness World Record events, Desert Camps, Safari adventures, Sports and Water Show and Street Performances by international troupes. Food festivals, daily fireworks, Heritage and Cultural shows & activities, exhibitions of international participants and entertainment shows hosting musical concerts, plays and Star Shows from around the globe will be an added attraction for the festival. The other major attraction of DSF is that it offers complete tax-free shopping. DSF will run for 32 days from January 24 to February 24, 2008.

Dubai Shopping Festival:

Facts at a Glance

• 13th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival.
• DSF will run for 32 days from January 24 to February 24, 2008
• Rs 30 crores worth of prizes to be won during DSF 2008. 
• 32 kilos of gold to be won as prizes upon purchase of jewellery.: AED 3.2 Million : INR 3.36 crores
• 90 lexus cars and 4.5 Million Dhirham cash: Daily 2 Lexus (ES 350 and Rx 350) + AED 100,000 Cash : INR 23 crores
• 43 Nissan cars. 31 cars to be won daily from January 25, 2008. 3 cars to be won by a single winner each week in weekly bumpers for 4 weeks. Total value 5 Million DHS.
• 3.5 million tourists visited the DSF in 2007 and 15 per cent more expected this time round. 
• Total retail turnover of *Rs. 10700 crores (10.2 billion dirhams) during DSF 2007
• Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group given away 615 kilos gold as prizes since DSF 2007. Another 32 kilos will be added to this figure by the time DSF 2008 gets over on Feb 24, 2008
• Jewellery worth *Rs. 841 crores (Dh765 million) sold during DSF 2007. 
• Commemorative Gold coins worth Rs. 42 crores (Dh37 million) sold     during DSF 2005, Amitabahchan was the brand ambassador. 
• DH850 million of jewellery expected to be sold in 2008
• People from around 200 nationalities visit the festival.  
• Over 25 tonnes of gold on display at the Gold Souk at any given time.  
• 95 % of all tourists visit jewellery outlets
• Per capita gold bought by consumer is highest in the world at 30 grams
• Dubai is the Middle East's supply hub for Jewellery market
• Dubai is the world's second largest re-distributor of bullion. It imports 360 tonnes and re-exports almost all of it.
• Dubai made world's longest chain during DSF 1999. The chain was made in 22K gold and measured 4.2 kilometers. Closer to 10,000 customers brought the chain in necklace and bracelet size pieces.
• Duba cut diamond is inspired by 99 holy names of Allah, the 99 faceted Dubai cut diamond is a Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) initiative.
• Dubai's first souvenir gold coin is titled "visions of Dubai". Launched by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) the first series of gold coins will have the image of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
• Dubai will host the World Jewellery confederation (CIBJO) congress in April 2008, to be held for the first time in a Arab country.