DUBAI: SHOPPING FESTIVAL CANCELLED FOR MOURNING

Dubai, 10 Jan. (AKI) - One of the key trade and tourist events in the Gulf calendar, the Dubai Shopping Festival, has been cancelled this year as a sign of respect after the death of the emirate's leader Sheikh Maktoum al-Rashid Maktoum. Festival coordinator Saeed al-Naboudah said all the activities had been deferred to the next round, scheduled for 20 December, 2006. The multi-billion dollar shopping extravaganza, whose theme this year was 'expect the world and get it' was due to kick off on 4 January, the day the Sheikh died, during a visit to Australia.

"Certainly (the decision to cancel the event) will have a major impact on business, but the loss of Sheikh Maktoum is much greater" commented Eisa Adam Ebrahm, general manager of the Burjuman Shopping Centre, among the largest in the emirate.

After the sheikh's death, the festival was suspended and a decision was to be taken later whether to proceed or not.

The decision has huge financial implications. Predictions for this year's month-long entertainment and shopping extravaganza had estimated sales of some two billion dollars. The previous festival generated 3.3 million visitors, who spent a total of 1.8 billion dollars.

One of the prime Attractions this year was to be the Mall of the Emirates, which now boasts a Ski Dome, where one can experience real skiing and the surrounding St Moritz like atmosphere, right in the middle of the desert.