Over 250 exhibitors from over 40 countries who took part in the 2007 Gulf Traffic Exhibition have rated the show a major success.

The three-day event concluded on December 12 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

“We designed Gulf Traffic as a comprehensive showcase of essential products and services that are vitally important to governments across the region who face a wide range of transportation challenges that must be solved quickly and efficiently to ensure continued economic growth,” said group director, Exhibitions, IIR Middle East, the organisers of the event, Sarah Woodbridge.

“Gulf Traffic 2007 exceeded expectations in terms of the number of high quality visitors that attended the show, as we achieved a 22.5 per cent growth over 2005. But most satisfying from our point of view is that exhibitors achieved their objectives in being here, meeting and developing valuable business contacts with the region’s key industry professionals,” she added.

“There’s a good overall quality of exhibitors showing new products. The show’s been good - lots of people were interested in our products and we also met people who are setting up in Dubai, so we have plenty of leads to follow up on,” said Ashish Goel of 3M Gulf, one of the exhibitors.

The market potential of the region is clear to see. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior and General Directorate of Traffic has allocated $800 million to an ATVAM - Automated Traffic Violation Administration & Management - project, and Madrid-based Gulf Traffic exhibitor Telvent has signed a $132 million deal with Saudi Arabian conglomerate Dallah TransArabia that will see the company implementing integral traffic management solutions in Jeddah, Mecca, Medina and surrounding regions over the next two years.

Jeddah-based PMD House will be involved on the project management front.

With key support from the Government of Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), 3M and Vossloh, Gulf Traffic 2007 covered over 8,000 square metres and featured major industry names including VAE GmbH, Siemens, Thales, Quixote and Serco.

Gulf Traffic also receives active support from leading international bodies including UBI France, Bayern International (Germany), ITS South Africa and The Railway Industry Association (UK). – TradeArabia News Service