MANAMA – Business-friendly Bahrain will serve as the stage for the GCC debut of the latest high-performance automobiles – Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 and
Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 – when these are unveiled at the Bahrain International Motor Show (BIMS) in October. BIMS runs from October 4-7, 2008 at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Center.
According to Imad Rihan, marketing manager for Al Ghassan Motors, the official importer of Lamborghini in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain was selected for the unveiling of the latest models of the exclusive brand due to its geographical location. “We consider Bahrain as part of Saudi Arabia because many Saudis visit the country.”
BIMS is owned and produced by Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) in joint venture with Germany’s Messe Essen GmbH. Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) functions under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Hassan A. Fakhro, the Minister of Industry & Commerce and Chairman of the Board of BECA.
Shaikh Ghassan Al-Suleiman, owner of Al Ghassan Motors, will preside over the unveiling of the latest Lamborghini models to the public. He will be joined by Al Ghassan executives David Leach, general manager; Sultan Hamdi, brand manager; and Mr. Rihan.
High-performance auto and engine makers RUF Automobile GmbH, Jaguar, Hummer and
Pankl Racing Systems AG will be represented at the inaugural international motor show. National pavilions from Germany, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates will also have a presence at this landmark event with Kuwait Finance House as its Platinum sponsor.
Stunning surprises
BIMS 08 will showcase stunning suprises including one of the most revered supercars in automotive history renowned for being the most exquisite piece of automotive engineering ever.
“BIMS is shaping up to be a hallmark event for the Kingdom of Bahrain with its unique exhibits of production, classic, concept and performance cars across different brands and its timely significance,” said H.E. Dr. Fakhro. “Its inaugural launch in October coincides with the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, enabling thousands of car enthusiasts and families to visit the show at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Center (BIEC).”
H.E. Dr. Fakhro further explained the new dates in autumn would make it more viable for Bahrain’s auto dealers to showcase their new models and concept cars for 2009.
BIMS is supported by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce (Kingdom of Bahrain), Bahrain Economic Development Board and BIC. Gulf Air is the official airline while DHL is the official freight carrier.
“We are very encouraged by the positive response we have been receiving in recent weeks,” said Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, Acting CEO at Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA). “It is always hard launching a new event, but the encouraging response we have been receiving for BIMS prove that people believe in our efforts to assist industry stakeholders in establishing Bahrain as a business-friendly destination, and Automotive Center of Excellence.
Ms. Stanford-Kristiansen emphasized, “Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between BECA and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, now is the most opportune time for Bahrain’s automotive and motoring industry to have a presence at BIMS 08.”
Packed with different activities at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Center (BIEC), BIMS 2008 promises to be a spectacular experience for trade show visitors, as well as the entire family. More than 19,000 square meters of pillar-free exhibit space have been booked at BIEC, giving car agents and other exhibitors more than ample space to stretch the limits of their creativity at Bahrain’s largest business-to-business, international
motor show.
“We are working closely with the automotive media for additional visitor marketing promotions and have launched an extensive promotional campaign in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Bahrain to increase visitor attendance to BIMS 2008. Our media partners include Autocar Middle East, F1 Racing, Tires and Parts and Arabian Motors.”
To supplement the efforts of its overseas sales agents in China and Japan and maximize the level of exhibitor participation at BIMS 2008, Messe Essen has opened an office in Abu Dhabi to cover marketing the event in the UAE.
Bahrain’s own motor show follows the concept of Messe Essen’s global fair for
automobiles, tuning, motor sport and classic cars. BIMS was launched to reinforce Bahrain’s excellent reputation as the home of motor sports in the Middle East.
For further details, please contact Ali Al-Shehabi, project manager, on phone + 973 17558816 or by e-mail at [емаил заштићен]
