Dubai traders are more optimistic about the future than they were a year ago, according to a survey.

A poll conducted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), showed that traders expecting consumer demand to be good or very good this year increased eight points to 64 per cent in 2006, which was an eight point drop from 2005.

Also, the percentage of traders expecting higher sales increased this year by six points to 54 per cent - 11 per cent fewer traders expressed this optimism last year compared to 2005.

Small traders employing one to nine people had the highest expectations for market demand in 2005 and 2006. For 2007, however, they had the lowest. In contrast, large traders (with 20 or more employees), had the lowest expectations in 2005 and 2006. However, they had the highest market demand expectations in 2007, with almost all of them expecting demand to be at least 'good'.

Market demand expectations of medium-size traders (with employment of 10-19), had been steadily going up since 2005. In 2007, nearly 70 per cent have positive market demand expectations.

Expectations for higher sales followed a similar pattern, with relatively less number of small traders (52 per cent) having the expectation for 2007; followed by the mid-sized traders (59 per cent); and the large traders (75 per cent).

In its report, the chamber also urged for more support for small and mid-sized companies.

"Mechanisms are, therefore, needed to support SMEs, in terms of greater access to financing, market information and training, research and development," it said in the report.