BY THEODORE OPARA

The Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo will lead other dignitaries from the public and private sectors to declare the 13th edition of the Abuja International Motor Fair open. About 50 companies are expected to participate at this year’s motor show schedule t hold from October 12 to 21, 2011.

Disclosing this to Vanguard briefing, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fair said that having the fair declared by the Vice President of the federation underscores the seriousness of the Federal Government efforts to encourage and support every effort geared towards developing the automotive industry in Nigeria .

Mr. Agwu who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited-Organizers of the Fair noted that the presence of the Vice President will go a long way in reinforcing the aims and objectives of the show which is “fast tracking the development of the automotive sector of in Nigeria”.

His presence according to the Managing Director would give the needed encouragement and boost to existing and potential investors in the industry.

According to him, “the Abuja international Motor Fair remains the unparalleled gathering of established brands as well as new entrants, ranging from passenger busses, cars, trucks, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, financials and many more; adding that the importance of continuously staging the show cannot be over-emphasized as all hands must be on deck to promote and support investments into the sector, as it occupies a strategic position in enhancing the economic development of Nigeria”

Mr. Agwu revealed, “As part of our efforts in promoting investment in the automotive sector, in addition to the usual display of products and services by participants, this edition has a conference/seminar segment which will discuss topical issues in the industry.

Virtually all the major brands of automobiles, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, banking, insurance, regulatory and policy making agencies and bodies are taking part.

Feelers from most of the participating firms indicate that visitors to the various stands will enjoy lots of goodies. Some have packaged gift items, lucky dips and many other forms of entertainments which according to sources will last all through the fair. We have packaged a fair that has something for everybody; visitors, participants and other stakeholders.”

The entire days of the Fair have been laced with lots of crowd pulling fun and side attractions. Visitors, Exhibitors and the general public that would be at the fair will experience a bumper of fun-filled days at the fair arena; adding that this will be a landmark and a benchmark in auto show business in sub-Saharan Africa’. Each of the nine days that the fair will last is loaded with activities and events that will make this edition remarkably different and we intend to improve and add on this in subsequent editions, Mr. Agwu, stated.

“Its going to be a bumper harvest for the expected over 100,000, visitors their socio-economic status notwithstanding; every visitor would gain one thing or the other at the fair as we have ensured that almost the interests of all segments of the society are adequately catered for at the fair”.

Some of the companies and agencies that are participating are: Westar Associates Limited [Distributors of Mercedes Benz brands], CFAO [Distributors of Nissan and Mitsubushi brands], Stallion Group [Distributors of Porsche, Honda, Skoda, Audi, Volkswagen, Mahindra, Hyundai brands] PAN Nigeria [producers and distributors of Peugeot brands], Toyota Nigeria Limited [distributors of Toyota brands], Globe Motors [distributors of Hyundai Buses], Lanre Shittu Motors [distributors of Mack Trucks and Yutong Buses], and Briscoe Ford [Distributors of Ford brands]

Others are: Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Company, Wuhan Dapco Auto Parts Co. Ltd of China, WA Industries, Hyra Motors [distributors of Geely and Brillance brands] Dana Motors [Kia brands], Leventis Motors [Volkswagen brand], National Trucks Manufacturers [NTM] with Qungqi brands, Asian Motors with Foton brands and, Basco Nigeria Limited [JAC brands].

At the venue also will be: Dealfish Nigeria Ltd, Oando Plc, Mobil Oil Plc, Total Plc, Stanbic IBTC, National Automotive Council [NAC], First Systems Refinishes Limited [SIKKENS}, Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, Federal Road Safety Corps [FRSC], Keystone Bank, Convitech Nigeria Limited, Tramigo Tracking Nigeria Limited..