Sauditransport: delayed
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WE APOLOGISE to readers who expected a report from Sauditransport '82 in this week's issue. The opening of the Show was delayed for 72 hours and the copy from our man in Riyadh arrived too late for this week's CM. We are now planning to publish the report at the earliest possible date.
This was the first transport exhibition on this scale to be held in the Middle East and it was anticipated that it would attract delegates from neighbouring countries.
Part of the reason for the delayed opening was the late arrival of many of the exhibits. Our man in Riyadh reports that there were "one or two unexpected union hitches" which added to the delay.
The exhibition occupied 10,000 square metres which accommodated more than 100 exhibitors. All Middle Eastern countries are developing transport and distribution industries and plans are understood to be afoot for similar exhibitions in Egypt and Jordan.
Britain's involvement at the Show was marginal in what must be considered an export market of some potential.
Leyland Bus and Leyland Vehicles carried the flag for British manufacturers. Quinton Hazell, Car Body Sales & Services of Coventry, Firestone, Interlink Marketing, R.A. Dyson (1981) Ltd, and Buckingham Vehicles Ltd were other British companies who exhibited.
Saudi is working on a five-year development plan which culminates in 1985. An allocation of £9650m has been made to develop road/rail rolling stock, and an additional £5,500m has been provided to expand the road sector by 75 per cent.