Debut edition of commercial vehicles show - Transmex Middle East launched

The event was opened by H. E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Bin Hamad Al Qassimi, Director-General of the Public Works Department, and will run until October 15, 2009.

The launch edition of Transmex Middle East, an exhibition of commercial vehicles, was also inaugurated. It will run along side Conmex at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Present at the opening ceremony were Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Adviser to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah, officials of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.

Speaking after the inauguration ceremony, Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa said the UAE is leading the regional property and construction market, accounting for a major chunk of the total project value.

"Ongoing projects as well as infrastructure initiatives have kept the construction sector buoyant in the country even during these tough times. This has ensured that demand for construction machinery, equipment and vehicles has not dropped. In fact there is continued demand for these products,"

Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa said.

"The presence of leading players in the industry at the show also reaffirms the positive sentiment and the recent uptrend seen in the economy," Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa added.

According to recent figures by international consultants, about $1.3 trillion worth of projects are currently under way in the UAE. This includes 7,231 projects across all spheres. And, over 1,000 projects are in the pipeline this year alone in the country.

In the GCC, despite a tough year, almost 70% of the total registered projects are currently under construction with a further 6% out to tender and 10% already in the concept and design stage.

Conmex Middle East 2009 is featuring more than 300 brands from nearly 24 countries at 30,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor exhibition space, while Transmex is showcasing leading makers of commercial vehicles from all over the world.

"A key attraction this time will be the debut of Transmex Middle East. It is positioned as an attractive platform for international commercial vehicle manufacturers to exhibit and promote their products to construction and logistics companies in the region," said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

"Together these two exhibitions will help serve a wider visitor profile and will offer buyers a one-of-its-kind sourcing and networking opportunity," added Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

The show will also feature live demonstration of tower cranes, forklifts, earthmovers, concrete batching plants, and other light and medium range machinery, equipment and vehicles in the outdoor display area. Another highlight will be product launches to be held on the sidelines of the event.

"Bringing together nearly 300 brands is no mean task in these tough circumstances. But the presence of leading manufacturers and dealers here shows the trust and expectations they have in this market and the platform," said Mr Khan.

"I am sure that the signs of recovery seen in the markets as well as the value-additions we have introduced for the show will go a long way in ensuring that the event is a big success for all participating exhibitors," said Mr Khan.

"Besides, visitors can take advantage of some of the best deals on several products, as regional as well as foreign manufacturers will be looking to liquidate their inventories on a big scale," said Mr Khan.

Conmex Middle East is jointly organised by IMAG, Messe Munich, organisers of BAUMA, and Expo Centre Sharjah.

IMAG is a member of the Munich Trade Fairs International Group, which is the organiser of BAUMA, the largest construction machinery show in the world.

"The Middle East region has emerged has one of the most dynamic and versatile markets in the world. Here the economy has not been as severely affected as in many other markets and regions due to the global financial crisis. Most of the construction works are still under way and government initiatives have led the way in sustaining economic activities," said Mr. Harald Mueller, Chairman & CEO of IMAG-International Trade Fair Service.

"Our association with Expo Centre Sharjah helps to build on the expertise of Munich Trade Fairs International Group, organiser of BAUMA, and make Conmex Middle East the most sought-after event for the regional construction sector," Mueller added.

One of the key events at the show will be the daily conferences on theme 'Succeeding in a rapidly changing market'. Presentations by high-profile international speakers and industry leaders will discuss how to apply technology, business processes and strategy to achieve optimum levels of success. They will share international best practices, enabling participants to benefit from the experience.

Some of the leading industry players taking part in Conmex include Galadari Trucks & Heavy Equipment, which represents JCB, Komatsu, Bomag, Linkbelt, Esco, Atlas Copco and Hensley; Orientals Middle East, which will display brands such as Osler, Huba, GGR, Saez, Xena, Aerial, Unic & Mungo; and German Gulf will showcase its brands such as Putzmeister, Liebherr, Atlas Terex, Bosch Rexroth.

Genavco, Inma, East & West and Al Wasit will also present their leading brands of construction machinery at the show.

Conmex is displaying machinery and equipment, earth moving and road construction machinery, construction and commercial vehicles, plant and machinery for asphalt, concrete, cement and stone, tools and special systems, attachment, spare parts and accessories, communication and navigation equipment, safety equipment and other related products and services.

At Transmex, the product profile includes trucks/truck tractors, light commercial vehicles (transporters, delivery vans, pick-ups), buses, minibuses, special-purpose vehicles (ambulance, medical service vehicle, fire trucks etc), armoured vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, bodies and containers, components, spare parts and accessories, servicing, repair and maintenance equipment, and logistic & transport services.

Both the shows will be open from 11am to 7pm for trade visitors.