United Arab Emirates (UAE) motor industry suppliers are set to cash in on massive Iraqi demand for vehicle components and accessories as reconstruction of the war torn country begins to accelerate.
Locally based industry sources estimate that before the month-long war Iraq accounted for more than five percent of re-exports of automotive spare parts from the country's free zones and ports.
"A sizeable population, the vast landscape, forcing longer driving distances, punishing climate, old minimally maintained cars and a population eager to move on with their lives after years of deprivation, make Iraq a very lucrative market for the auto spares sector in the post Saddam era," said Customer Relations Manager of the TASRA Auto Spares Company, Suhail Siddiqi.
Siddiqi said his Sharjah-based spare parts company is already working to establish contacts with Iraqi importers, who own spare parts outlets or supply existing outlets. "United Nations approved MoU programs to import these essential commodities are not the easiest to work with. However, our past experience of doing business with Iraq has taught us the market has a massive potential, a professional and highly trained population and that we have to keep faith that things will only get better for the Iraqis," said Siddiqi.
TASRA Auto Spares will feature its products at the Automotive Aftermarket Middle East (AAME) 2003 exhibition. Organised by International Expo-Consults, AAME will be held for the first time at the Dubai International Exhibition Center from May 6-8. It will feature over 150 companies from countries across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Far East and Australasia. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
