Dubai: Vehicle manufacturers must keep safety and concern for the environment as major priorities as they plan their recovery from the economic downturn, according to Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, in his address marking yesterday's opening of the inaugural Commercial Vehicles Middle East conference and exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Commercial Vehicles Middle East brings together technical and operational managers and administrators in vehicle maintenance and management from the Gulf and greater Middle East region. The summit focuses on current and future maintenance and management requirements by offering learning opportunities and analysing industry trends.
Bin Sulayem was joined by Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; and Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, CEO, Public Transport Agency, RTA, during the opening of the event. The event will run until tomorrow and is open to the public.
Market needs
"There is a need in the market for a show like this," Laith Kubba, Managing Partner of Streamline Marketing Group, told Gulf News in an interview.
"There are so many types of exhibitions and conferences before but not one had catered to commercial vehicles."
"Dubai is a hub, a re-export hub, and a great venue to have a conference and exhibition like this. Obviously, its not just catering within the market but also to other neighbouring emirates and countries, the GCC and beyond because commercial vehicles in Dubai are re-exported to Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq and other places," added Kubba.
A full range of commercial vehicles is showcased in the exhibition, including ambulances, police cars, specialised refrigerated vans, standard pick ups, buses to trucks.
The event will feature the "Commercial Vehicles 2010" conference, which will highlight current risks to business and focuses particularly on how organisations can make specific contributions to lessening the negative impact of the economy on commercial transport through better business practices.
Another key issue to be discussed is how commercial vehicle operators across the Middle East can significantly reduce costs by increasing fuel efficiency and undertaking regular vehicle maintenance.
The introduction of the event has been well received by manufacturers, with brands like Nissan, Renault, Hino and Foton among those unveiling new models this week in Shaikh Saeed Halls 2 and 3.
