A leading trade exhibition for the rapidly developing automotive aftermarket in the wider Middle East and Africa region (MEA) Automechanika Dubai received its highest number of visitors at this year’s event, passing the 30,000 mark for the first time in its 13-year history, said its organisers.

The event which recently concluded, was held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE.

A total of 30,835 trade buyers from 130 countries attended the 2015 fair, up seven per cent over the previous year, stated Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

With 1,889 exhibitors from 59 countries occupying 17 per cent more space than in 2014, this year's event received more international and local representation than ever before, it added.

The increasing global interest in the wider region’s automotive aftermarket also comes as Dubai Customs released figures showing Dubai’s trade for auto parts and accessories was valued at $12 billion in 2014, 10 per cent more than in 2013, it added.

The figure includes imports of auto parts, accessories, tyres, and engine components worth $7 billion last year, while exports and re-exports were worth $5 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s premier status as a major liaison between Asian, European and North American manufacturing countries and consuming regional markets, said the statement.

The event witnessed a number of new product launches, partnerships, distribution agreements, and manufacturing facility announcements by leading global majors and local players.

At the forefront of new announcements was the UAE-based ENOC’s opening of a 5,000 sq m lubricants and grease manufacturing plant in Dubai to complement its existing facility in Fujairah, UAE.

Automechanika Dubai was split into six product sections comprising parts and components and systems and electronics (1,340 exhibitors); tyres and batteries (190 exhibitors); accessories and tuning (166 exhibitors); repair and maintenance (109 exhibitors); and service station and car wash (84 exhibitors).

The largest section, parts and components and systems and electronics, spanned more than 41,000 sq m of exhibition space, and was packed with the biggest names in the international automotive aftermarket.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The double-digit growth of Dubai’s auto parts trade underlines the emirate’s important role as a key gateway to emerging markets throughout the world.”

“This growth goes hand-in-hand with Automechanika Dubai, which is the wider region’s only dedicated trade platform where the entire global automotive aftermarket community converges for three busy days to expand their presence and business networks not only in the Middle East and Africa, but also the subcontinent and the Commonwealth of Independent States,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service