Dubai’s automotive spare parts trading sector recorded an impressive growth year in 2008, achieving an increase of 18.67 per cent compared to the year before to reach Dhs21.62 billion in value, according to figures released by Dubai World’s Statistics Department.
The data collected by the consulting arm of the group showed that auto spare parts import alone was worth Dhs13.63 billion in 2008, which marked 23.65% increase compared to the previous year. Exports were valued at Dhs454 million, an increase of 7.03 per cent, and re-exports at Dhs7.50 billion, growing by11.26 per cent.
The report has been released ahead of the Automechanika Middle East 2009, the region’s leading trade fair for the automobile industry that will be held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 31 to June 3. The Statistics Department will be participating in the event for the third consecutive year, underscoring the importance of the automotive sector to Dubai’s economy as a whole.
Saeed Alqaizi, Director of Group Procurement, Contracts, Statistics and General Administration, Dubai World, affirmed that the Statistics Department aims to have active participation in various exhibitions in order to increase the awareness on the importance of trade statistics and how they could be used for business planning.
Nassim Al Mehairi, Senior Manager of Statistics Department, will deliver a presentation with a detailed statistical report on the vibrant automotive sector at the conference, which is to be held as part of the Automechanika fair,
Al Mehairi said: “We are participating in Automechanika Middle East 2009 to gain a deeper understanding of the forces that drive the industry. It will be an opportunity for the Statistics Department to showcase its work and spread the message that a credible database, like the one we strive to create, is vital for the sustained growth of this market segment. The Statistics Department has a carefully designed mechanism to collect trade data, analyse it and share the results with the market players.”
Japan continued to be the leading exporter of auto spare parts to Dubai. It topped the list with Dhs3.4 billion worth of spares exported to the emirate in 2008. It is followed by China (Dhs1.98 billion) and Germany (Dhs1.96 billion). “Export of auto spares from Dubai was also impressive last year, showing a clear growth compared to 2007 figures. Pakistan was the top destination, with Dhs51.20 million worth of spares exported there. Kuwait (Dhs40.68 million) was in second place, followed by the United Kingdom (Dhs34.29 million),” Al Mehairi said.
The top three re-export destinations in 2008 were Iran (Dhs2.63 billion), Iraq (Dhs706 million) and Russia (Dhs340 million).
