Automechanika Jeddah boosts auto aftermarket

By Saleh Fareed JEDDAH — The second addition to the Automechanika Jeddah, proved to be a big attraction for Saudi visitors for its opening show. The Kingdom’s dedicated aftermarket trade exhibition kicked off Jan. 31 at Jeddah Center for Events and Forums, featuring 174 local and international exhibiting companies. Participating firms focused on showcasing their latest innovations to the Saudi automotive aftermarket. The event runs until today (Feb. 2). Products featured at exhibition included parts and systems, accessories and tuning, tires and batteries, repair and maintenance, IT and management, service stations and car washes. Mazin Battarji, Vice Chairman of Jeddah Chamber officiated the show’s inauguration ceremony, He said: “Automechanika Jeddah is a very important show to Saudi’s automotive industry. A show like this gives Saudi’s auto industry the perfect chance to get updated with the last and most advanced auto parts.” Battarji toured the exhibition accompanied by senior officials from organizers Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE) and Messe Frankfurt, representatives from the automotive majors and other VIPs. Also, present at the inauguration ceremony was Matthias J. Mitman, Consul General of the United States of America who inaugurated the opening of the American pavilion at the fair. The American Consul General in Jeddah told Saudi Gazette that the Saudi-US relations were strong over the past decades and are based on mutual respect and common interests, especially the keenness to maintain a great trade relationship. He said “we have here at the 2nd edition of Automechanika Jeddah around 7 American automotive companies. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest trade partners for the US. I think there’s interest on both sides in expanding not only the level of trade but the nature of the trade. Saudi Arabia’s in the midst of a very aggressive expansion trying to develop its non-oil sectors and diversify the economy in general.” Meanwhile, Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “To tap emerging opportunities in India, it was highly imperative that Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions and Messe Frankfurt formed a partnership, utilizing our respective expertise for developing this extraordinary show.” Hadi Al-Harith, Managing Director of ACE, said Saudi Arabia has now established itself as an indispensable market for many key global industry players, he said: “That’s why suppliers from around the world have started to make stronger efforts in tapping the country’s numerous business opportunities.” The global popularity of the dedicated trade show is underlined by country pavilions from Turkey, China and Taiwan, while debut pavilions include the USA, Korea, Hong Kong and the European pavilion. The opening day saw a large turnout from across the Makkah region, many of whom were there to source new products or supplies, contact manufacturers, research new trends and developments in the industry globally or find new business potential and explore fresh markets. — SG