AAME, one of the oldest automotive trade shows in the Middle East, has now been renamed as APME / Auto Parts Middle East, by the organisers, International Expo Consults (IEC), in response to market driving forces.

The 14th edition is scheduled to be held from January 11 to 13 next year in Dubai.

With a new nomenclature of products exhibited and a new international communication and media campaign, APME 2009 is set to continue as the Middle East's flagship automotive trade event, said an official.

The trade show has been repositioned taking into account market trends and demands from exhibitors as well as visitors and buyers.

Owing to the high industry demand in the region, APME will now cover the entire range of autoparts, equipment, sectors of original equipment & aftermarket and services for cars, trucks, light & special vehicles and motorbikes.

“The high standards of living and increasing population in Dubai have led to exponential growth in the vehicle sector. Therefore it was time for us to revamp the show to truly reflect the new dynamics of the autoparts industry,” said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, president of IEC.

According to recent figures from the Dubai World Statistics Department, import of vehicle spare parts in 2007 accounted for 60.65 per cent of total autoparts trade, totalling Dh11.05 billion ($3 billion), while exports made up 2.33 per cent (Dh425 million) and re-exports ran at 37.02 per cent (Dh6.75 million). The top three re-export destinations for 2007 were Iran, Iraq and Russia.

“More and more international vehicle parts and equipment suppliers are entering the Middle East market, looking to co-operate with regional importers or to establish a local branded subsidiary,”  Falaknaz explained.

APME 2009 is supported by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, and other regional and international organizations.-TradeArabia News Service