The expo is set to be the launch pad for several world-class brands while remaining focused on the development of the vaping industry in the Middle East

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 2, 2020:   Vape expo organizer Way Joy today announced that the first Dubai VAPE EXPO has been scheduled for March 18 to 20, 2020, and will be held at Festival Arena By InterContinental, Dubai Festival City. The expo will be open only to trade and business groups on March 18, and open to public on March 19-20. More than 120 brands, including many world-class brands, and local distributors in the Middle East are scheduled to participate.   

The founder of WAY-JOY, Terry Hu, who is also the organizer of the first VPAE EXPO in China, believes that UAE and other countries in Middle East will witness another golden era for the vaping industry soon. Chinese customs data show that e-cigarette exports to the UAE have grown at 100% in October 2019. A new set of standards developed by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) has come into effect from mid-April 2019 for legalizing the sale and use of electronic smoking devices in the country.  

“The new regulation issued by Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology indicates that manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers are now allowed to sell vaping products in the country, as long as they meet the new standards. We can also see that people in the region of Middle East are showing more interest in vaping. I think It is time to embrace this new market,” said, Terry Hu. 

According to China Customs data and the China Electronic Cigarette Association statistics, the global e-cigarette market reached USD 33 billion in 2019. There has been a year-on-year increase of 106.25%, which is 14 times since the development of the industry in 2012. The Chinese market reached USD 7.87 billion in 2019, of which the export sales reached were USD 6.26 billion. More than 90% of the global e-cigarette products are from China. And the US market has touched USD 16 billion in 2019. 

Rising awareness pertaining to harmful effects of cigarette smoking is one of the major drivers observed in the market. Changing consumer preferences, increasing number of vape shops and designated stores, as well as new product innovations are propelling the growth of the e-cigarette market.
Given the current business environment, the VAPE Expo aims to introduce additional world known brands of vaping products and technologies to consumers of the Middle East. It also aims to build bridges for more brands to explore and understand this new market, and to set up a communication platform for the public to know more about the vaping industry. 

The expo in March 2020, will also have a VAPE Summit which is being held to encourage open discussions and communication. Keynote speeches about public safety and health, product development, market analysis and regulations and policies. The expo will also be the launch pad for some leading brand introductions.