Rapid growth in the automotive aftermarket in middle eastern countries is attracting 22 Australian businesses seeking export opportunities at the 2012 Automechanika Middle East trade show to be held from 22 to 24 May, 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This will be the largest Australian export mission to participate in Automechanika Middle East, the region's biggest exhibition focused on the automotive aftermarket. The delegation is being organised by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) with support from the Victorian Government.

AAAA Senior Manager Government Relations and International, Ben Bartlett, said this Australian delegation of manufacturers and suppliers is evidence of the "can do" attitude and professionalism of today's Australian aftermarket industry. "This sector of the Australian automotive industry turns over $11 billion a year and employs 30,000 plus people. The phenomenal point is that it also earns 800 million in export dollars a year," he said.

"The Middle East is a growing part of our industry's export plan. This will be our twelfth consecutive year attending a Middle Eastern aftermarket trade show, and our tenth consecutive mission to this show. Australia punches above its weight here with our companies featuring in a 200 square metre Australian Pavilion located in Hall 5 at the centre of the exhibition," said Ben Bartlett.

Companies exhibiting in the Australian Pavilion are Airbag Man, Alloy Race Components, Ateco Equipment, Automotive Parts Australia, Black Widow, Camtech, Couplertec Electronic Rust Proofing, Crow Cams, Dobinsons Springs & Suspension, Mackay Consolidated Industries, Mainline Dynolog Dynamometers, Penrite Oil, Powerdown, Precision Parts, Premier Auto Trade, The Ultimate Suspension, TJM Products Pty Ltd. The AAAA and the Victorian Government will also have information booths in the Australian Pavilion.

There are also other companies visiting the market, to evaluate export opportunities with the prospect of exhibiting in future years. The AAAA believes this is an important first step in any company's export market entry strategy.

Dubai - Middle East market hub

All companies who participated in the 2011 AAAA delegation to Automechanika Middle East expected increased business and 47% received orders at the exhibition with 53% gaining 10 or more sales leads.

The 2011 Automechanika Middle East trade show attracted 17,000 visitors to see 1,100 exhibits. This exhibition showcases automotive components, accessories, garage equipment, as well as refuelling and car washing equipment and machinery.

Dubai has become an important trade hub for the automotive industry in the Middle East. It is now significant in serving the needs of fast growing markets throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, North and East Africa. Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq are main re-export destinations, underlying Dubai's prominence as a logistics hub and gateway to difficult to reach markets.

According to Ms Nassim Saeed Al Mehairi, Senior Manager Statistics Section, Strategy & Corporate Excellence Department, Dubai Customs, the industry's imports, exports and re-exports from Dubai in 2010 was AUD$ 2,536 million. That has grown to AUD$2,355 in the first quarter of 2011.

A large part of this growth is attributed to expansion in vehicle ownership, the prevalence of a large number of vehicles in the region that need maintenance and upgrading, and the growing realisation of the benefits of regular servicing and replacement of parts and accessories in terms of reduced costs and increased efficiencies.

Ben Bartlett said that following the Automechanika Middle East trade show, some companies in the AAAA delegation will travel on to investigate export opportunities in Turkey. "The Victorian Government recognises the value in supporting these missions. This assistance makes it possible for small and medium size Australian businesses to compete in international markets," he said.