Opening of SMM Int’l Trade Fair, India
The world has come to recognize the potential of the Indian shipping industry, its capability to innovate and grow on the global stage, said APVN Sarma, former Secretary, Shipping, at the inaugural SMM India, shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology trade fair and exhibition. “The SMM exhibition is being organised at a very appropriate time”, said Arun K Mago, Chairman, Advisory Council, SMM India 2009. Mago said, “Though India and China were not affected as much as by other developed countries, it has had an adverse affect on the shipping trade. It has been one of the worst moments for the sector in living memory. SMM India 2009 provides a platform for dialogue and business interaction between over 100 exhibitors from all parts of the world.
SMM Istanbul Event Report
The first SMM Istanbul, from 21 to 23 January 2009, had more than 4,000 trade visitors from 66 nations and 150 exhibitors from 30 nations. “The premiere was a success, despite the difficult economic environment in a financial crisis which has just now hit the shipbuilding industry’s order books in full force,” said Bernd Aufderheide, CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC). “We would like to thank our Turkish partner Goca Fuar Kongre ve Sergi Hizmetleri Ltd.Şti (Goca Exhibitions), who organized this international trade fair together with us at the centrally located Istanbul site Lütfi Kirdar Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC) and implemented the technical concept.” The overall view of Fatih Goca was that “The first SMM Istanbul was much more than a successful launch.
