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International interest for local automotive expo

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More than 75 per cent of the available space for the 2012 South African Automotive Week (SAAW) expo has been taken up, with a number of national and international pavilions booked for the event in October 2012.

“There is a lot of international interest in the third SAAW, which is seen as one of the most important meeting places for anyone in the automotive industry who wants to do business in Africa,” says Andrew Binning, director of SAAW 2012.

Over 300 exhibitors are expected to be showcasing their products and equipment at the SAAW expo, which is the only dedicated industry showcase in South Africa.

The SAAW website is receiving hits from an average of 25 different countries a week.

Most recent statistics show that the biggest interest has come from Germany, Poland, China, The United Kingdom, the Philippines, Hungary, India, Italy and Australia.

Delegations have been confirmed from Thailand, China, the United Kingdom and the United States, while individuals from a number of other countries have also registered, according to Binning,

“This geographic spread shows that Africa is firmly in the sights of international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), component and parts suppliers,” says Binning.

Inkanyezi Event Organisers, which is responsible for SAAW 2012, estimates that this year’s expo and related conferences will attract around five thousand trade visitors and media from across South Africa and the globe to Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay.

National pavilions will showcase the industry in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the North West, the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), and the Coega IDZ.

A 270 square metre Coega IDZ pavilion will be one of the highlights of the expo, according to Binning.
SAAW will also host a number of conferences focusing on key challenges and opportunities in the South African automotive industry.

The main conference, held under the auspices of the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) will see motor industry leaders and strategists from around the country will be joining global experts on the podium and in workshops to plot the way forward for the South African automotive industry.

SAAW 2012 is being held in the Moffet on Main Centre, Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay from October 10 to 13, 2012.

South African Automotive Week is made possible by the Eastern Cape Province, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Coega, the East London IDZ, merSETA, the IDC and Transnet.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.