Erbil to host first annual cargo and logistics exhibition

Erbil, April 24 (AKnews) - Erbil is scheduled to host the first annual airport expansion, cargo and logistics conference and exhibition beginning on Wednesday. The two-day conference and exhibition will provide networking and business development opportunities for up to 250 delegates from companies working in the aviation, airports, cargo and logistics sectors, who are keen to tap into the lucrative Iraqi market. The Director of Erbil International Exhibition Ground Aref Latif, told AKnews that 50 leading companies from 15 countries across the world will participate in the fair which was expected to be opened on Tuesday but was postponed until Wednesday due to late arrival of some of the companies. In a press release, Arabian Reach, a Dubai-based company specializing in exhibitions and event management across the region, said that already 1,200 businessmen from Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, UAE, Germany, Iraq, Britain, New Zealand, Egypt, Lebanon, France, South Korea, Switzerland, Uruguay, the US, Iran and Kuwait have registered to attend the event. Half of the registered visitors represent companies from the aviation and airports sector, while the rest are from the cargo and logistics sectors. Visitors from the UAE alone comprise 35% of the total number of those pre-registered. The company has also reported that leading companies from over 33 countries across the world will be participating in the event. Among the key participating companies are Boeing Middle East, Etihad Airways, Modern Freight, Agility and Cavotec Middle East. Starlight Airlines, the largest international air freight service provider based in Sharjah, UAE, will be the presidential sponsor and associate host for the event. Mateen Express Cargo, a leading UAE-based air cargo company specialized in Iraq for in and outbound shipments will also be a golden sponsor of the event. The conference and exhibition will feature security solutions, ground support equipment, supplies, airport revenue management, design and build, technology, air traffic management, operations, training and recruitment and also cargo and logistics service providers. Directors and CEOs of all the Iraqi airports are expected to be present at the conference and exhibition. "Iraq's aviation industry is on a path of revitalized growth, and it is envisaged that more than US$150 billion worth of airport and logistics infrastructure related projects are under consideration in Iraq," the press release from the general manager of Arabian Reach, Raj Menon, reads. "Considering that this is the inaugural edition of the event, the response we have received so far has been truly overwhelming, and underlines the growing interest in Iraq's aviation, cargo and logistics industries, especially with seven new airports and cargo villages being constructed," he said, "we anticipate more visitors to register closer to the opening date on the 26th of April." Erbil was chosen as the host city because of its business-friendly environment for foreign investment and stable security situation. The event also provides Erbil with an opportunity to showcase its new US$ 550 million international airport and terminal which boasts the fourth longest runway in the world, Arabian Reach says. Raber Y. Aziz (Raber@aknews.com), Dawan Hadi contributed to this story Ka/AKnews 25/04/2011 15:44