Iraq reconstruction boom to boost visitor turnout at Gulf Maritime 2005

Jointly organised by Expo Centre Sharjah and Baird Publications of Australia, the Gulf Maritime is the only event of its kind in the region, and will provide international and local shippers and suppliers an ideal platform for tapping the demands of the multinational construction giants engaged in reconstruction work in Iraq.

There is no doubt that in the recent past rebuilding work in Iraq had suffered a setback as a result of security concerns. However, this is considered to be only temporary. It is expected that political stability will be restored in Iraq by the middle of 2005 and reconstruction activity will gather considerable momentum then.

Once that happens, there will be a huge demand for building materials like concrete, cement, steel etc. Given that these will be transported via the sea route, there will be an increased demand for new barges, supply boats, tugs and other kinds of work boats.

The UAE, because of its excellent business and maritime infrastructure, is preferred as an operational and trans-shipment hub by suppliers and construction companies engaged in Iraq. As a result, ports and sea cargo carriers in the country can also expect a sharp rise in their businesses in the second half of next year.

For both visitors and exhibitors alike, the Gulf Maritime exhibition's schedule next year is the most appropriate, giving them the chance to gain the maximum benefit from the show at the most opportune time.

The Gulf Maritime exhibition, which is the only maritime event in the region that offers the latest in designing and building of different kinds of vessels, equipment for fishing, offshore support vessels, tankers, tugs, ferries, patrol boats, ship repair and port operation products, and cargo handling services, will be the ideal choice for regional marine companies and suppliers looking to fulfill their requirements.

The Gulf Maritime 2004 exhibition attracted a total of 2,785 visitors with a majority of the visitors from the Middle East and North Africa region. Of this, 1,696 visitors were from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The total business generated during the show amounted to US $ 28 million.

The number of visitors at Gulf Maritime 2005 is expected to rise by atleast 60% over the previous edition as a result of reconstruction activity in Iraq.

A major highlight of the exhibition will be the seminars covering products and issues concerning the marine industry that will be held on the sidelines.

The Gulf Maritime is one of the very few exhibitions that not only enables exhibitors to make contact with registrants that they may have missed during the show, but also offers them the option of auditing the list of claimed registration of visitors to the show.