Sometimes, Size Really Does Matter

By Jim.Robinson|February 17, 2011

Dubai has often been described as “the gateway to the world,” so it is no coincidence that the International Cotton Association (ICA) chose this location for its next major event, “Dubai 2011: Open to the World.” To be held Mar. 15-16 at The Ritz Carlton International Financial Centre, it promises to build on the huge success of “Singapore 2010,” which was completely sold out.

But there is another reason Dubai was chosen: ICA is growing fast and mills and producers are the reason. Asia is the focal point of the raw cotton trade and Dubai 2011 aims to attract the Asian market, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. ICA’s affordable new membership structure was developed especially for producers and mills.

“Major price fluctuations drive up the number of contract defaults, highlighting the need for ICA and reinforcing our core objectives: To protect the legitimate interests of both buyer and seller and ensure contract sanctity in the global trade of cotton,” says ICA Managing Director Kai Hughes. “To be brutally honest, our objectives will never be achieved unless key players from all sectors of the cotton community come together and work toward common goals. We need strength in numbers to uphold these objectives, regardless of the price of cotton.”

The early signs are that Dubai 2011 will be bigger and better than the Singapore event. It will bring the major merchants and mills together to network, conduct business and discuss the future of the industry.

“After the Singapore 2010 event, a leading merchant told me that he had done more business in two days than he ever thought possible and his comments were reflected by others. Dubai 2011 will be no different and, after the unprecedented events in the cotton market over the past two years now, more than ever, is the time to join the ICA and help secure a stronger and safer trading environment.”