Middle Eastern aviation companies are branching out from exhibitions in their own region with their first industry pavilion in continental Europe.
The Middle East pavilion (Hall 4, C2) makes its debut at Le Bourget with a strong contingent of companies from around the Middle East region.
Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), organiser of both the Dubai airshow and the Middle East pavilion, says the pavilion was launched to "encourage the region to better 'sell' itself in the global arena" and to highlight its capabilities.
Although Farnborough 2004 featured the inaugural Middle East pavilion, the Paris pavilion is three times the size and has attracted companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
"The region's dynamic aviation sector is stepping up its collective effort to promote its diverse offering to a global industry audience and our second international air show pavilion will generate further interest from the world's major players," says Alison Weller, project manager, F&E.
Companies exhibiting in the Middle East pavilion include Abu Dhabi-based maintenance, repair and overhaul provider GAMCO, the UAE armed forces, the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia's Arabian Fuels Technology and a variety of Middle East-based industry journals.
Also exhibiting at the pavilion is the Dubai 2005 airshow, which hopes a joint sales push between F&E and a senior Dubai government delegation will drive further sales and increase demand for exhibition space at November's Dubai show.
"The timing of the Paris airshow is always a key element in our sales calendar as Dubai is the next major focus for the international aerospace industry," says Clive Richardson, chief executive, Aerospace Division, F&E.
Source: Flight Daily News
