Top industry associations back Automotive Aftermarkets tradeshow

AAME is organised by International Expo Consults & the 11th edition of the tradeshow is scheduled to be held from March 20th -22nd, 2006 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Auto Parts Merchant Group (APMG), a leading association of top automotive & spare parts dealers in the UAE & the Automotive Brand Protection Coalition Middle East (ABPC), the first automotive coalition in the world dedicated solely to opposing counterfeit parts, will endorse the 2006 edition of Automotive Aftermarket Middle East (AAME).

Announcing the tie-up, Mr. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, President, International Expo Consults stated "We are very excited with these latest developments which will definitely give a fillip to this tradeshow and once again re-establish AAME as a premier tradeshow for the Automotive Aftermarket sector. Our past success has played a major role in bagging these partnerships. The last edition of the tradeshow recorded major deals worth over US$ 78 million and many more were to be negotiated in the aftermath of the event. The post-event survey revealed that the show had far exceeded the exhibitor's expectations and recorded a 38% increase in business volume and a 20% increase in visitor turnout"

Talking about their association with AAME 2006, Mr. Ahmad Bin Eisa Al Serkal, Chairman, APMG stated, "We are quite pleased to be associated with AAME. The UAE Automotive Aftermarket is already worth AED 18 billion (USD$ 5 billion) annually and is growing at a phenomenal 20% PA as per the latest statistics. APMG's mandate is to provide this fast growing industry with a platform which will act as a single window to service the industry's growing demands and bring conformity in business dealings across the board. To achieve this we are working towards creating the first Auto Parts City (Free Zone) in the region."

"We are slated to have our information stand in the next edition of AAME and aim to persuade members to participate in the AAME exhibition under the APMG umbrella," added Mr. Serkal. Some of APMG's key members include Al Dobowi Tyre Co. LLC, Gulf Star Auto Spare Parts Est., Mok Corporation LLC, Al Dahiya Auto Spare Parts LLC, Al Yousuf Motors, Arabian Automobiles Company, MRF Ltd. Dubai Branch, Dynatrade, FAG Middle East, Genavco and Nassar Bin Abdul Latif Serkal, amongst others.

"Throwing light on their participation, an ABPC spokesperson stated, "Counterfeits including fake car parts are a growing problem word wide. It is estimated that US$12 billion of counterfeit goods are sold each year. The demand for spare parts, components and accessories in this region will continue to grow as a direct result of the increase in car ownership fuelled by the economic expansion in the Middle East. Unfortunately this means that it is also a booming market for the sellers of fake parts. We are pleased to continue our association with AAME as it enables us to communicate directly with those who are involved in the car parts trade."

ABPC aims to work with the organisers to ensure that the 11th Edition of AAME will be a "Clean" show.

"Fake parts are the work of people who have no concern for safety or reliability. They have no obligation with regards to the commuters or the vehicle's well being. Their service begins and ends with profit. We hope that through this tradeshow a large number of prospective customers will understand the risks of buying fake parts. Genuine parts undergo strict safety checks to ensure they meet the required high safety standards expected by consumers. With AAME as a clean show we are taking another step towards eliminating the promotion of the illegal and dangerous trade of fake parts," the spokesperson concluded.

AAME has grown significantly over the years, in terms of size, sales deals and visitor turnout, thus emerging as a convergence point for manufacturers, dealers, distributors and buyers from the Automotive Aftermarket industry worldwide. AAME 2006 promises to open up numerous business opportunities for everyone associated with this profitable industry.