AAME set to double in size in 2004

Organiser International Expo-Consults (IEC) said the decision reflects strong international interest in the Middle East and North Africa and is in line with recent figures that show the GCC spare parts market is now worth in excess of US $11 billion and growing at 5% annually.

The announcement comes on the eve of the opening of this year's record-breaking event that moves into top gear tomorrow (May 6) and runs until Thursday, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC).

Despite a postponement, forced by the conflict in Iraq, the exhibition has attracted over 150 exhibitors from across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Far East and Australasia. It will be a third larger than the 2002 showing. Visitor pre-registrations are also 20% up on last year.

'The fact that we are able to deliver an expanded event with increased visitor interest, so soon after the events in Iraq, underlines the importance of AAME to the region's vehicle components and accessories industry,' said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice President, IEC.

'Saudi Arabia, in particular, is a vital market and AAME provides international companies with good access to visitors who come from the Kingdom, as well as other Gulf states.

'Dubai is pivotal to the regional industry. More than half the aftermarket products that come to Dubai are re-exported. This re-export trade alone is worth nearly $1.5 billion, with heavy calls from the wider North African area, particularly the vast and lucrative Libyan market.

'It is this sustained demand, far in excess of the largely stagnant markets elsewhere in the world, that is driving increased international interest in the region. We are confident this will translate into significant additional bookings next year,' said Falaknaz.

Prominent countries keen to increase penetration in the Middle East market at AAME this week with government or industry association backed pavilions, are India, Pakistan, China, Australia and Taiwan. Turkey, taking space for the first time, is backed by the country's influential Exports Promotion Bureau, or ULUDA.

Turkey's 264 square metres pavilion will house 19 companies exhibiting a wide range of automotive components and accessories for buses, trucks, agricultural vehicles, marine diesel engines and cars.

'The Middle East and North Africa account for 11% of Turkey's US$ 1.34 billion exports of vehicle spare parts and accessories,' said Birgul Polat, spokeswoman for ULUDA.

'The participating companies, many of which are new to the region, are keen to expand commercial co-operation throughout the Middle East, especially with the UAE, which is viewed as a leading regional business centre and a hub for the lucrative re-export market.'

The strong Australian presence, supported by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), comes in the wake of official figures showing exports of automotive components and parts to GCC states rose to a record $26.25 million in 2001. Saudi Arabia led the way, with sales of auto parts up from $9.74 million in 2000 to $12.82 million the following year.

India's national pavilion will house nine exhibitors, supported by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association, while Pakistan will be represented by 10 companies under the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM). Pakistan's auto exports to the Middle East amounted to US $24 million last year, compared to US $14 million in 2001.

China comes to AAME targeting a 10-fold increase in exports of vehicle spare parts and accessories to the Middle East and Africa in 2003. It is mounting a particularly aggressive sales drive throughout the Middle East, reflected by 61 auto parts companies having contracted for the 648 square metres pavilion.