ROADEX 2006 - the Middle East's largest road industry event attracts exhibitors from over 20 countries

ROADEX 2006, the region's largest road exhibition and conference has also projected a 30% increase in the number of exhibitors from the previous edition held in March 2004, which attracted 154 exhibitors.

"Consistent regional economic growth has fuelled a boom across sectors and the road industry is being impacted very positively. Governments are investing aggressively and municipality budgets for road development across the region are increasing. We are pleased that products, services and technology companies from around the world targeting the road industry will be at ROADEX 2006 to tap into this opportunity," said a spokesperson for ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company), the organisers of the event.

The annual budget for roads in the emirate of Abu Dhabi was US$ 1.3 billion (4.77 billion dirhams) in 2004, with more than US$ 5 billion (18.35 billion dirhams) having been invested in the road industry in Abu Dhabi between 2000 and 2004. According to Global Investment House, Bahrain allocated $104.41 million (383.18 million dirhams) for roads, bridges and sewerage in 2003-2004. A 45-km causeway between Bahrain and Qatar is being built at a cost of $1.8 billion (6.60 billion dirhams).

In 2003, the Ministry of National Economy, Sultanate of Oman has reported a fund allocation of $26.15 million (95.97 million dirhams) on roads. In 2004, the budget allocated to the Ministry of Public Works in Kuwait increased by $62.58 million (229.66 million dirhams) over 2003 according to the National Bank of Kuwait.

An allocation of $1.87 billion (6.86 billion dirhams) was made in 2005 for new projects including roads, intersections and bridges, road lights and cleaning-related projects according to the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia. The Public Works Authority (PWA) in Qatar has allocated a spend $3.72 billion (13.65 billion dirhams) on roads by the year 2009 as reported by www.menareport.com.

Roads, Bridges, Tunnels, Parking and Traffic will be the focus segments at ROADEX 2006. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 trade visitors consisting of decision-makers from among municipalities and public works departments in the region, as well as road industry professionals. ROADEX 2006 builds on the success of the inaugural edition - ROADEX 2004.

ROADEX is being held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition & Conference Centre and will be organised by ADNEC, the Department of Municipalities & Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Works. The event has attracted leading supporters and sponsors including the International Road Federation (IRF), The World Roads Association (PIARC), as well as major industry organisations from Spain, USA, Germany, Korea, Italy, South Africa, the UK and Australia among other countries.