Second edition of AutoParts Re-export show opens at Expo Centre Sharjah

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh - Board Member (SCCI), Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan - Acting Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, directors of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.

"The AutoParts Re-export show, now in its second edition, has clearly established itself as the region's only exclusive platform for the automotive aftermarket Re-export trade," said Mr. Midfa after the inauguration ceremony.

"UAE's aftermarket trade is valued at over US $ 11 billion per annum with more than 60 per cent of its aftermarket imports re-export bound. The Auto Parts Re-export Show is playing the role of a facilitator in promoting UAE in general and more specifically, Sharjah, as a preferred sourcing hub for the automotive aftermarket re-export trade in the region," Mr. Midfa added.

The three-day AutoParts Re-export Show, which prides itself as the Middle East's only dedicated exhibition for the auto parts re-export trade, this year features over 100 companies engaged in auto parts manufacturing and trading from across the globe.

National pavilions from the USA, Taiwan, Turkey, and Iran, are also participating in the Show.

Like in the last edition, this year too, there is a sizeable and impressive US national pavilion with the support of the US Department of Commerce.

Among the product categories that are on display at event are automobile components, garage equipment, tyres, batteries, and auto accessories.

The Show is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce.

"The exclusivity and the focused approach of the event is one of main reasons why so many trade visitors from across Middle East and the Africa region flock to it," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

"The AutoParts Re-export Show is being held at a time when the demand for auto parts and accessories in many African countries is at its peak. The Show assumes special significance given that Sharjah is considered to be the perfect re-export hub for auto parts due to its location, competitive pricing and availability of direct shipping services to many African countries," said Mr. Khan.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by the UAE automotive aftermarket industry Forum. The forum was presided over by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, SCCI, and attended by several Board Members of SCCI, top decision makers in the automotive aftermarket industry in the country, manufacturers/dealers/exporters/importers of automotive after market products from both within and outside UAE, Representatives of overseas automotive aftermarket industries, Members of automotive aftermarket associations from across the region, and diplomats representing several countries.

Participants at the forum held detailed discussions on fake parts, parallel trading, responsibility of traders in the society, consequences of sub standard products among other issues. The Forum also interacted on plans for the industry in the region, especially in the UAE.

Speakers at the Forum included Mr. Abdul Jabbar Gargash, Deputy Executive Director, Al Gargash Enterprises, and Deputy Chairman of the Auto Parts Merchant's Group (APMG) and Mr. Surender Khandari, Chairman of Al Dobowi Group among others.

The issue of how to prevent the usage of fake parts and its consequences figured prominently not only for the UAE automotive aftermarket but also for the whole Middle East region.

"The Expoforum, which is being held on the sidelines of Autoparts Re-export Show, is an exclusive platform for the automotive aftermarket industry and trade in the Middle East region, said Mr. Khan.

"The Forum is aimed at providing the regional automotive aftermarket industry access to industry trends and opportunities available across the globe. It is also working towards developing a greater understanding within the industry in the region - a need that is imperative given the massive growth that the sector is experiencing currently," Mr. Khan added.

Dubai-based motor industry anti-counterfeiting group, the Automotive Brand Protection Coalition (ABPC), has allied with the AutoParts Re-export Show to campaign against the usage of counterfeit automobile parts.

A large number of leaflets and banners, printed in both English and Arabic, have been kept in several locations across the Show floor to educate both the exhibitors as well as visitors about the various aspects of usage of counterfeit parts. The AutoParts Re-export Show strictly adheres to the policy of allowing only genuine parts to be exhibited.

The AutoParts Re-export Show is open daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm. It concludes on September 13.