Bahrain Motor Show to open in Spring 2008

It will follow the concept of Essen's global fair for automobiles, tuning, motor sport and classic cars, regarded as the most multi-faceted automobile fair anywhere in the world.

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Messe Essen GmbH and Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) for the Bahrain Motor Show last month, a press conference has been scheduled for 2nd April 2007 to announce the signing of the official contract between Mohammed Dhirar Al Shaer, CEO of BECA and Dr Joachim Henneke, Chairman and CEO of Messe Essen.

The date of the press conference for Bahrain Motor Show 2008 is within the two-week lead up to The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2007, amplifying Bahrain's positioning in the motorsport industry.

'Motorsports in particular, and the automotive industry, in general, are an important driver of Bahrain's economy. The success story that is The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and the recent launching of the German, high-performance sports car maker, RUF GmbH in Bahrain, the first ever automobile manufacturing and assembly facility in the Arab world, are testimony to the wealth of entrepreneurial and high-tech skills residing in the country,' says Mohammed Dhirar Al Shaer, CEO of BECA. 'Bahrain Motor Show is one of the ideal platforms for the Kingdom's automotive industry to be placed on the international map and win in the race for economic prosperity.'

Dr. Joachim Henneke, Chairman and CEO of Messe Essen GmbH, confirms that the event premiere will have the best possible starting conditions. 'The demand in the automobile sector is growing at a breathtaking speed in the Middle East.' The optimum venue for serving this market has been chosen with Bahrain. Bahrain has developed into the car and motor sport metropolis on the Arabian peninsula not least also because of the Formula One Grand Prix.'

Envisaged as the region's major meeting point for leading car and truck manufacturers, agents and show goers, Bahrain Motor Show 2008 will run for three days and will feature a thrilling programme of interactive activities to complement the stunning displays of new production vehicles and special cars.

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, BECA Director for MICE, Destination Marketing and P.R. reiterates, 'What distinguishes Bahrain Motor Show from other regional events dedicated to the automotive industry is our partnership with Messe Essen GmbH, the organiser of the internationally-recognised Essen Motor Show, which celebrates its 40th year in December. With Messe Essen's proven track record for organising automotive fairs that set standards and draw massive crowds, it is envisioned that Bahrain Motor Show will become an interactive haven for motorsport and automotive enthusiasts with its wide range of displays from classic cars to thought-provoking concepts to the most environmentally-conscious green machines.'

According to Henneke, the Bahrain Motor Show will offer exhibitors at the Essen Motor Show an ideal platform for opening up highly interesting new markets, foremost of which is the market in Saudi Arabia. 'For Messe Essen, the commitment in Bahrain also signifies the further internationalisation of the Essen Motor Show.'

The Chairman and CEO of Messe Essen stresses that the company is very happy to contribute its know-how into the Bahrain Motor Show. 'The 'Essen Motor Show will take place at Messe Essen for the 40th time in 2007. Not least due to its unique concept of making it possible to experience all the facets of the 'Fascination of Automobiles', it has, with approximately 400,000 visitors, developed into the most attractive annual automobile fair in Germany.'

Bahrain Motor Show 2008 is the maiden joint venture event of BECA with Messe Essen GmbH. It is being organised with the support of the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Bahrain International Circuit and Gulf Air.