AutoParts Re-export Show gaining momentum in the region

The 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.

Currently, Saudi Arabia is one of UAE's main destinations as far as its auto parts aftermarket re-export goes.

The 3-day Auto Parts Re-export show, which concluded at Expo Centre Sharjah on Sept 13, 2005, attracted over 3,000 trade visitors from across the Middle East and Africa.

The event this year featured over 100 companies engaged in auto parts manufacturing and trading from across the globe. National pavilions from the USA, Taiwan, Turkey, and Iran, also participated in the Show.

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

"One of the main reasons for the Auto Parts Re-export Show gaining momentum with global automotive aftermarket companies so rapidly is because it focuses exclusively on the automotive aftermarket re-export trade," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

The AutoParts Re-export Show prides itself as the Middle East's only dedicated exhibition for the auto parts re-export trade

"Traditionally, the UAE has been a major source for automobiles, machinery, spare parts, lubricants and tyres for East and North Africa and also for the rest of the Middle East region," said Mr. Khan.

"Several countries in Africa are currently experiencing major industrialisation and as a result of it there is a sweeping demand from these countries for auto parts and accessories," he added.

He further added that Africa was a growing market for automobile spare parts and that Sharjah in the UAE was the perfect sourcing hub for it due to its location, competitive pricing and availability of direct shipping services to many African countries.

"Given the pace at which the UAE automotive aftermarket trade is growing, the AutoParts Re-export show is bound to have more exhibitors and visitors in the coming edition," Mr. Khan said.

A major highlight of the second edition of the Auto Parts Re-export Show was the Expo Forum that was held on the sidelines of the event. The Forum provided auto parts importers in the region an opportunity to interact with manufacturers, officials from chambers of commerce from different countries, and members of various trade associations.

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

Organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the Auto Parts Re-export Show enjoys the support of major trade associations and export promotion bureaus from several countries.