In keeping with the rapid all round development of key infrastructure sectors in the Middle East, the road industry in the region is seeing millions of dollars of investments. This announcement was made by a spokesperson for GEC - AD, (the General Exhibitions Corporation, Abu Dhabi), the main organiser of ROADEX 2006 at the ongoing International Road Traffic & Traffic Expo being held from 7-10 July 2005 in Seoul, Korea.

ROADEX 2006 is poised to be the Middle East's largest and most important event for the road industry. Elaborating on the potential of the Middle East road industry, the spokesperson said, "Governments in the region are investing considerable amounts in developing roads and related infrastructure. In 2005, Saudi Arabia made an allocation of $1.87 billion for new projects including; roads, intersections and bridges, road lights and cleaning-related projects (Source: Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia).

The Public Works Authority (PWA) in Qatar has allocated a spend $3.72 billion on roads by the year 2009. (www.menareport.com). In Kuwait, a project is on to build a 25-kilometre causeway, linking Subbiya in the north to Kuwait City at a cost of US$1.5 billion(http://www.menareport.com/)"."Bahrain allocated $104.41 million for roads, bridges and sewerage (Source: Global Investment House). A 45-km Causeway between Bahrain and Qatar is being built at a cost of $1.8 billion. (Source: Global Investment House).  Similarly in 2003, Oman allocated $26.15 million for Roads (Source: Ministry of National Economy, Sultanate of Oman). In 2004, the budget allocation in Kuwait to the Ministry of Public Works increased by $62.58 million over 2003 (Source: National Bank of Kuwait)". ROADEX 2006 will be the Middle East's largest and most comprehensive road industry event and is being organised in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, 12-15 March 2006.

The event will focus on ROADS, TUNNELS, BRIDGES, PARKING and TRAFFIC giving it the widest profile among road industry events in the region. ROADEX 2006 also expects the participation of over 200 exhibitors and will build on a successful previous edition held in 2004, which attracted 154 exhibitors. ROADEX 2006 will be held under the Patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The International Road Federation (IRF) will organise a special session on road safety at ROADEX 2006, bringing together leading experts from around the world to address this issue.

Highlighting the issue of road safety and its impact on economies in the region, Mr. Wim Westerhuis, High Representative, International Road Federation (IRF), said, "Road deaths in the Gulf cost between 1.5 and 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Our estimates show that in the UAE, road deaths cost 1.6% of the GDP, whereas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this figure is 2.4% and 1.8% respectively. As compared to these figures, the impact of road deaths on GDP is less than 0.75% in countries like the US, the UK, France and Germany". The significance and the potential that ROADEX 2006 represents has attracted leading supporters and sponsors for the event. The supporters for the event include; The International Road Federation (IRF), The World Roads Association (PIARC), the Italian Asphalt & Road Association (SITEB), the US Department of Commerce and the Spanish Road Association. Al Muhairy has confirmed its participation as a sponsor, with 3M confirmed as a co-sponsor at the event. An aggressive promotional campaign is in progress that showcases the potential that the region represents.

The ROADEX project team has participated in several events recently and has received impressive response from exhibitors. Brain Trust, Italy along with SITEB, the Italian Asphalt & Road Association, has reserved a large stand for the Italian pavilion, as well as the Spanish Road Association also reserving space for the Spanish pavilion. The organisers of the event have also signed an MoU with Messe Essen on organising participation from Germany. The US Commercial Services Section of the US Department of Commerce have confirmed their support of ROADEX 2006 and have accorded ROADEX 2006 with the US Certified Trade Fair certificate, as well as reserving a suitable size stand for the US pavilion. 

Marketing representatives have been appointed in the USA, Italy, India, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia. Invitations have also gone out to 23 countries to participate via the Project Village opportunity at the event. The ROADEX 2006 project team recently participated at InterTraffic Asia (BITEC) being held in Bangkok, Thailand and the IRF World Meetings (14 - 17 June 2005) as part of their promotional campaign for the event.

-ENDS -

For further information please contact: 
Ravi Kumar, Project Specialist, 
GEC-AD 
Tel: +971 2 4446900 x217
Fax: +971 2 4446135
Email: kumar@adnec.ae or roadex@adnec.ae
Website: http://www.roadex-uae.com/

OR

 Visit the ROADEX 2006 team at Stand No: Z-03