Germany-based IMAG and Expo Centre Sharjah tie-up for third edition of CONMEX in '08

CONMEX, which is the Middle East's largest sourcing platform for construction machinery, equipment, vehicles and parts, made its debut at Expo Centre Sharjah in 2006. It was organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

"I am very excited about the future cooperation between Expo Centre Sharjah and IMAG," said Mr. Harald Mueller, Chairman & CEO of IMAG - International Trade Fair Service, at a press conference organised at Expo Centre Sharjah on the 17th of July 2007 to announce the tie-up which is aimed at promoting and marketing CONMEX internationally and for further developing the concept as the region's leading event.

"We see an enormous potential for the development of CONMEX, based on the excellent work which Expo Centre Sharjah already has done since 2006 and on IMAG's vast international experience in the field of construction machinery shows. As member of Munich International Trade Fairs Group, organizer of the worlds' leading exhibition BAUMA and Asia's leading fair BAUMA CHINA, IMAG has developed a portfolio of construction machinery shows including in Algeria, Iran and Russia.

"This know-how will also be brought into the cooperation with Expo Centre Sharjah. Growing economies across Middle East are powering projects and making investments in all sectors, be it oil & gas, industry, real estate or tourism. With multi-billion dollar investments in regional infrastructural and construction projects, the economies of Middle East including that of GCC are showing exponential growth and a severe boom in the region's construction industry," he added.

The debut edition of CONMEX, which was held from November 25 - 28, 2006, had showcased 250 brands and companies from 21 countries. Displays included the entire range of plant and machinery, commercial vehicles, lifting and conveying equipment, construction equipment, tools and special systems, formwork and scaffolding, construction site facilities, spare parts and accessories, communication and navigation equipment, and safety equipment used in the construction process.

Among the major international brands represented at the event were COPMA, Caterpillar, Hyundai, Sennebogen, Kobelco, Liebherr, Potain, Alimak, Dynapac, Atlas Copco, Stetter, Sandvik, Vogele, Snowkey, Sany, Raimondi, Eicher, CGR, RKF, Scania, Daewoo, Hyster, Bobcat, Grove, Konecranes, Soilmec, Terex, and Belle. A total of 6,282 trade visitors from 63 countries visited the exhibition. Of the total turnout, 58.8 % translating in to 3,695 visitors were from the GCC region including the UAE.

"Over the years, Expo Centre Sharjah has established itself as a leading organiser of trade exhibitions in the Middle East," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah.

"The overwhelming response that CONMEX received during the debut edition itself may largely be attributed to its vast experience, spanning decades, in organising such events. Within a very short period of time, CONMEX has succeeded in establishing itself as the region's leading trade exhibition for construction machinery, equipment, vehicles and parts. The efforts of Expo Centre Sharjah's Ms. Lilian Segundo, Group Project Manager (B2B events), and Mr. Sanjay Nepali, Project Manager for the exhibition, are commendable in this respect. I am confident that this cooperation between Expo Centre Sharjah and IMAG will further heighten the stature of CONMEX in the region," he added.

The construction sector in the Middle East region, particularly in the Gulf States, is currently experiencing a huge boom. There are currently over USD $ 650 billion worth of active projects in the Gulf and another USD $ 650 billion announced but not yet commenced.

Within the Gulf, UAE is the largest construction market with over USD $ 350 billion active projects. More than Dhs. 1.7 trillion (USD $ 463 billion) has been injected into the UAE freehold market, according to industry sources. Besides the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait are among the Gulf States that feature several high value construction projects.

Other than the GCC States, Iran and Iraq are among the Middle Eastern countries that are making substantial investments on construction projects.

"The Middle East, particularly the GCC States, are in the midst of construction frenzy," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah at the press conference.

"This boom has led to a massive demand for machinery, equipment, plants, vehicles, and parts by the Middle East construction sector. CONMEX, besides being an exclusive one-stop sourcing platform that completely integrates the supply requirements of the construction industry in the region, is also an opportunity for key personnel from the sector to acquaint themselves with the technological advancements taking place globally in this field. It is my belief that this tie-up between Expo Centre Sharjah and IMAG will considerably expand the reach of global companies engaged in the manufacturing of construction machinery, equipment, plants, vehicles, and parts, in the region,"

he added.

Mr. Saif Al Midfa also provided details about the second edition of CONMEX, which will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from November 5-8, 2007, on the occasion.

"The 2007 edition of CONMEX will see the participation of a large number of exhibitors from the previous edition with many of them imposing a stronger presence this time around with bigger booth spaces," he said.
Caterpillar, TEREX, Hyundai - Al Wasit, Raimondi-Al Bakhit, Bobcat & Grove-Kanoo Machinery, (Liebherr, Potain, Alimak) - Modern Emirates Heavy Cranes, Swaidan Trading-Al Naboodah Group, AAA, Quarry & Mining, Saca International are among those companies that have significantly increased their exhibition space in the 2007 edition of CONMEX.

Besides witnessing an increase in exhibition space, this year's CONMEX will be host to several new international companies dealing in construction related machinery, equipment, and vehicles. Among them are SIMEX from Italy, Valla Cranes (UK), USG Products F.E. PTE Ltd. (Singapore), Global Track Warehouse (Australia), Mann + Hummel (Germany), Ogura & Company and K. K. MEIWA (Japan) and Industrias Technoflex SA (Spain), Houston (China), Hydravlika (Slovania), Kran Serv (Russia) and many more.
It is expected that over 30,000 sq. m. of space will be utilized for display at the second edition of CONMEX. This will include indoor exhibition space comprising of four halls of Expo Centre Sharjah measuring a total of 16,000 sq. m. and outdoor display area of 15,000 sq. m. Of this, 10,000 sq. m. will be devoted to live demonstrations, seminars, conferences, and product presentations.

The outdoor display area will be exclusively used for display of medium to heavy machinery and vehicles. CONMEX is the Middle East's first trade show for construction machinery, equipment, and vehicles, to be featuring such a large outdoor display area.

Like in the previous edition, this time too, CONMEX will be a major networking platform for global manufacturers of construction machinery and vehicles. It will be an ideal event for senior personnel of the exhibiting companies and key personnel and decision makers from the regional construction industry, contracting companies, traders, distributors, stockists of construction machinery and equipment, service providers including transport companies, consultants, renting and leasing agencies, and Public administration and building authorities to explore business potential, finalize deals, and discuss crucial issues concerning the sector.

A major highlight of the exhibition will be the live demonstrations of tower cranes, fork lifts, earthmovers, and other light and medium range machinery, equipment, and vehicles. Again, it is for the first time in the region that live demonstrations of so many construction machineries and equipment will be held together at a single venue.