The first ever Aviation Procurement Exhibition (APEX) opens today (March 19, 2007) in Abu Dhabi, showcasing a range of aircraft, airport and airline pavilions at the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from March 19-21, 2007. The important trade event is designed to facilitate the procurement requirements of the Middle East's booming aviation sector, characterised by new carriers, airport expansions and massive airline purchases, and to establish Abu Dhabi as a hub of the international aviation industry.

Under the patronage of H.H. Dr Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Airways and the Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (GAMCO), APEX will support the development of the emirate's principal aviation companies by enabling procurement specialists to view, test and acquire new products, services and technologies. The recent allocation of more than AED 73.4 billion for the development of the national aviation infrastructure is predicted to lure a consortium of top level government officials, dignitaries, business leaders and industry experts to the event.

Commenting on the exhibition, Simon Horgan, CEO, ADNEC said,

"It is an honour for ADNEC to host APEX, one of the most important aviation events in the Middle East. The aviation industry provides great economic opportunities for Abu Dhabi's future and I'm delighted that ADNEC is to provide the platform this event - the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi."

A specialised aviation conference also kicks off today, running parallel to APEX to address key issues facing the regional civil aviation industry. The conference will provide a knowledge platform for senior executives in the aviation industry to discuss their thoughts, ideas and experiences on current issues related to procurement and finance in aviation.

According to statistics, the Middle East is the world's fastest growing aviation market in terms of air passenger traffic, experiencing a 15.3 per cent increase from Feb 2005 to Feb 2006. The region is also experiencing a proliferation of new carriers and some of the world's fastest growing airlines, including Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines.

APEX is being organised by Streamline Marketing Group in association with Etihad Airways, national airline of the UAE; Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (GAMCO), a government owned aviation maintenance services company; and Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), managing body of national airport operations and aviation infrastructure.

The exhibition is fourth since February to be staged at Phase 1 of the recently completed Exhibition Centre. The multi-purpose venue boasts 28,000sqm of exhibition floor space over seven interconnected halls, two luxurious conference rooms, 16 meeting rooms and a 2,000sqm food court. When fully complete in 2008, ADNEC will contain 55,000sqm of exhibition floor space making it one of the largest exhibition venues in the Middle East.

For further information please contact:

Ben Collins
Marketing Manager
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company
Tel: + 971 2 4446900
Fax: + 971 2 4446135
P.O.Box: 5546
Email: ben.collins@adnec.ae