The Middle East International Motor Show 2001 closed Monday, November 12 in the Gulf emirate of Dubai with the boast that it attracted 40 leading manufacturers and 41,236 visitors despite security fears.
Organizers declared the biggest automobile show in the Middle East a success, with more than 200 automobile parts and accessories manufacturers also turning out.
"The visitor turnout exceeded our expectations and the exhibitor feedback indicates that most of our exhibitors had a successful show and have committed to return to the show in 2003," said Ibrahimi Al-Hashemi, corporate manager for Dubai World Trade Center.
Dubai decided to go ahead with the show despite the proximity of the US-led war on neighboring Afghanistan which followed the September 11 terror attacks on the United States.
The trade center, which runs the week-long event, said 80 percent of exhibitors had given a firm commitment to return for the seventh edition from October 6-10, 2003.
The show, used by manufacturers to launch new European, American and Japanese models in the lucrative Gulf and Middle East markets, is held once every two years and some 60,000 visitors attended in 1999. — (AFP, Dubai)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
