By Mourad Teyeb
Albawaba.com - Tunis
Dubai's diverse Falaknaz Group has moved into Africa with the launch in Kenya by its International Expo Consults (IEC) trade show division of a new exhibition for the automotive aftermarket.
Autoparts Africa 2001 will be held in the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi from March 26-28.
"Response to this first-time exhibition has been encouraging with 40 companies taking part from Taiwan, China, Zambia, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, Italy, UK and the UAE," said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice Chairman, IEC.
"In all 12 companies from the Emirates are exhibiting, which is not surprising given that East Africa is a key autoparts re-export destination from the UAE.
"The show targets all the African continent. Kenya was selected as host because it is the emerging supply hub for East Africa and represents one of the most promising markets in the automotive and aftermarket sector."
According to the latest statistics from the Dubai Department of Ports & Customs, in 1999 Dubai exported $38,356 worth of autoparts to 50 African countries.
Autoparts Africa will follow directly on from Autoparts Dubai 2001, the first event in the six-year history of the show to be held at the Airport Expo Dubai.
"Autoparts Dubai 2001 will feature over 90 companies from 19 countries," explained Falaknaz. "The show has also achieved the official backing of industry associations from India, Pakistan, China, the USA, Australia, Italy and Spain." Autoparts Dubai 2001 will be at least double the size of its previous showings, staged in a local hotel.
"The show has now come of age and is entering the big league," said Falaknaz.
"We envisage strong growth in the years to come as the industry gains more regional focus." IEC is also planning to stage a one-to-one buyers meet at Autoparts Dubai 2001.
"More than a hundred of the region's top automotive after market players are being invited to the show to conduct scheduled one-to-one meetings with exhibitors," said Falaknaz.
"This will ensure participants get to meet the people with the spending power and industry influence to help build their business."
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
