The Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG), the industry association comprising 90 per cent of all aerospace companies and institutes in Holland, has confirmed it will mount a government-backed pavilion at this year’s Dubai air show to be held from December 7 to 11.
“The Holland pavilion at Dubai 2003 is being supported by the Dutch Foreign Trade Agency as NAG and its members perceive the Middle East as a prime growth market where many members have established solid footholds,” explained Frank Jansen, NAG’s managing director.
Dutch industry leaders already confirmed for the pavilion include Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings, which makes paints and coatings for the aerospace industry, KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Belgraver Aircraft Interiors and Avio-Diepen, which provides stock management and spare parts distribution of components to airlines, original equipment manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul customers.
“In all, we anticipate 10 Dutch companies spanning a wide range of products and services being housed in the pavilion,” said Jansen.
Groups from 11 countries, including for the first time Jordan and the Ukraine, have confirmed participation at Dubai 2003, which will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai from December 7-11 this year. Other confirmed groups include the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, the USA, Canada, Sweden and Greece.
“Additional group participation is being actively pursued by pavilion organisers from the Czech Republic and South Africa,” said Clive Richardson, chief executive, Aerospace Division, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which is organising Dubai 2003.
To date, exhibitors from 27 countries have contracted for Dubai 2003, which is receiving heightened international attention since the Le Bourget air show in Paris recently.
“Around 900sq m of space was reserved by companies contacted during Le Bourget,” explained Richardson. Together with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai, F&E operated both a chalet and a stand at Le Bourget.
“Our first stand at Paris proved to be worthwhile and attracted numerous trade exhibitors requesting more information on exhibitor potential,” said Richardson.
New exhibitors contracted for Dubai 2003 include complete logistics support provider Commerce Overseas Corporation of the USA; machine tool specialist Müller Machines SA of Switzerland and leading fastening systems designer and manufacturer Fairchild Fasteners Aichach GmbH of Germany.
F&E believes the huge aircraft orders, placed at Le Bourget by the UAE’s Emirates airline and Qatar Airways placed the Middle East firmly in the international aviation spotlight and helped drive interest in the Dubai air show.
Alison Weller, project manager, F&E, said mainline exhibitors contracted since the Paris promotion included Saab and Thales.
Dubai 2003 will also host the inaugural Aviation Fire & Security International conference and exhibition (AFSI). An AFSI pavilion is being incorporated into the Airport Expo’s West Hall, while the AFSI conference will run at the Airport Expo Dubai.
F&E is organising Dubai 2003 in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces.
