Second Gulf Maritime Exhibition & Conference to be held in April 2004

The Middle East’s only event dedicated to equipment and services used in the Maritime Industry, the 2nd Gulf Maritime Exhibition & Conference is to be held at the Expo Centre, Sharjah between 19 to 21 April 2004. It is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and jointly organized by the Expo Centre Sharjah and Baird Publications of Melbourne (Victoria) Australia.
Gulf Maritime is an International Exhibition and Conference intended for the Arab world’s Commercial, Government and Military Maritime industry. It features the latest in design, building and equipping of all types of vessels from 

fishing, offshore support vessels, tankers, tugs, ferries, patrol boats and all types of cargo vessels, ship repair and port operations products and services and cargo handling. The show brings together government authorities, decision makers, ship owners, ship chandlers, service providers, traders, marine engineers and all professionals involved in the maritime industry.
Neil Baird, Chairman of Baird Publications, expressed optimism about the 2nd Gulf Maritime Exhibition & Conference. "It is set to become bigger and better," said Baird. "Already, sales are up by some 50% compared with the same period last year," he continued.
Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General of Expo 

Centre Sharjah was also upbeat about Gulf Maritime 2004. "An important factor is helping the Exhibition," commented Khan, "and it is the boom in the Gulf region’s maritime industry.” 
Held in March 2003, the show’s first edition attracted a total of 1684 professional trade visitors from all over the globe in addition to 447 exhibitors from 40 countries, generating deals worth in excess of US $ 19 million for the exhibitors, with spot orders worth over US $ 7.6 million. 
At this year’s Gulf Maritime 2004 will be shipbuilders from Australia, the USA, Europe, Malaysia, India, Bahrain, Turkey and of course the UAE. Some prominent companies to confirm their participation include Kobelt from Canada, Stone Marine & 

Berg Propulsion from Singapore, Balenciaga Shipyard & Rodman Polyships from Spain, ABG Shipyard and Bharati Shipyard from India, Ana Group and Sanmar Ltd. from Turkey, Baitservice from Norway, Transas from Ireland, Colombo Dockyard from Sri Lanka and Gulf Craft, Daewoo Engines, Mohammed Abdul Rehman Al Bahar, Dubai Ship Docking Yard Al Jadaf, Dubai Drydocks, Mohammed Bin Masaood & Sons and Emirates Inflatables from the UAE.
Besides being the industry’s premier meeting ground for forging business relationships, the coming event will also be the regional industry’s prime educational opportunity. On the sidelines of the show a number of leading commentators and suppliers will be conducting one-hour product presentation seminars to the show’s visitors.
As with the first Gulf Maritime event, a custom-made marina featuring on-water boat display will be a major attraction. This will be located right alongside the Sharjah Expo Centre.