(MENAFN - Arab News) Saleh Ibrahim Al-Rasheed, director general of Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon), opened on Sunday the Saudi International Machinery and Equipment Exhibition (Machinex Arabia 2012).
Now in its second edition, the exhibition is being held under the auspices of Modon and Alruquee Group, a world leader in industrial equipment at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Jeddah Center for Forums and Events. The show will continue till Wednesday.
Speaking to press, Al-Rasheed expressed the importance of such exhibitions in Saudi Arabia as they help to attract international investors and strengthen the relationship between Saudi businessmen and their overseas counterparts due to a sharp rise in the Kingdom's building, construction and industrial machinery and equipment.
Turkey, one the main participants this time, is presenting a national pavilion supported by its Turkish Ministry of Economy.
Bulent Erten, chairman of executive committee Turkish Fair Organization, pointed out that 40 Turkish companies are taking part of this year's exhibition. The Turkish government has given this event much attention in order to strengthen its presence in the Saudi market which is considered as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and due to our strong relation with Saudi Arabia we are offering our best products for Saudi investors."
Industrial firms from China and Taiwan are also participating, in addition a number of leading Saudi companies representing global companies involved in the production of machinery, equipment and full plant processing systems from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Holland, Switzerland, and the United States.
The exhibition categories have been expanded this year to feature more machinery and services for factories, metalwork, metal casting, welding, plastics and rubber injection, printing and packaging, processing and packaging, construction and supply of electricity and climate control, mining, oil and gas, cleaning, recycling and waste treatment, light industries such as textiles and woodwork, handling of materials, cargo and vehicles, maintenance training operations, pumps, turbines, generators, compressors, and weighing and measurement equipment.
The Modon-backed exhibition supports the Kingdom's drive to reduce dependence on imports. Many industrial companies have started operating in various industrial zones in Saudi Arabia and this will eventually lead to self-sufficiency of modern, sophisticated equipment and machinery for various industries, according to the show organizer, Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE).
The exhibition follows the successful first edition, Zahoor Siddique, ACE's vice president for exhibitions, said adding: "The exhibition is an outstanding platform for businesses to enter into joint ventures in industry and explore the business opportunities in the most promising market in the region."
