180 exhibitors from 35 countries to participate in ROADEX 2006

"The increase in exhibitors to 180 participants at ROADEX 2006 from 154 at the 2004 edition reflects the growing interest of global companies in the region's road industry and the excellent opportunity that ROADEX presents to reach their prospects",

said Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Managing Director, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), at the pre-show press conference today.

The exhibit area at the exhibition exceeds 14000 sq mtrs. The number of countries participating in the show has grown from 22 in 2004 to 35 this year. "The significant rise in the number of exhibitors and countries at ROADEX is very encouraging. 123 exhibitors representing 68 percent of the total number of companies at the event are international exhibitors. Companies from Europe and North America number 52 and 23 respectively, accounting for 58 percent of international participants, while the MENA region, S. America, Australia and Asia make up the remaining 42 percent" he added.

ROADEX 2006 is organised by ADNEC, Department of Municipalities & Agriculture, Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Works and will be held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre.

Traffic, Parking and Equipment are newly introduced exhibit segments at ROADEX 2006, in addition to the focus on Roads, Tunnels and Bridges thereby making the event the most comprehensive road industry show in the region. The scope of the exhibition encompasses all elements of road transportation including design, construction, operation, maintenance and engineering management. ROADEX brings together leading contractors, developers, suppliers and transportation officials under one roof.

A high-powered conference organised in collaboration with the International Road Federation (IRF) will also take place during ROADEX 2006. The conference will cover various topics related to the road industry with emphasis on Road Safety and Loss Prevention.

"Roads for the future - smart and safe" is the theme of the conference, which will promote the message that the expansion and improvement of the road networks in the Middle East can greatly benefit from the adoption of latest technology to make them safer and more efficient.

Pointing out that an expanded and improved road network serves the purpose of stimulating the diversification of the industry, and the promotion of trade and tourism in the region, Sibylle Rupprecht, of Director Memberships, International Road Federation (IRF), said: "There is unfortunately an important downside to all the investments made in road networks and that is safety. The road safety record in the Middle East is a poor one. The accident and death toll represents, in addition to unwarranted human suffering, an unacceptable cost to society."

She also pointed out that in the region, the impact of road deaths on GDP amounts to almost triple that of densely populated industrialized countries such as the US, UK, France and Germany.

The "smart and safe" conference will host over 25 expert speakers from around the world, who will highlight the latest international developments and present their experiences from different parts of the world, with special emphasis on their applicability and appropriateness to the region.

Al Muhairy General Contracting Company is the sponsor of Roadex 2006 while the co-sponsor is 3M Gulf Ltd. The supporters of the event include the International Road Federation (IRF), the World Road Association (PIARC), the National Parking Association, Austroads, the Italian Asphalt and Road Association, Associacion Espanol A De La Carretera, Asphaltica, European Union Road Federation, South African Society for Intelligent Transport Systems, the Korea Road Transport Association, the US Department of Commerce, Messe Essen, the Italian Trade Commission, Comamoter, the Korea International Exhibition Centre, Route one Publishers, Arab Construction World, Etihad Airways and the British Parking Association.