Shammi Nagpal, managing director of the newly formed company in India, told newspersons here that Messe Frankfurt will continue to strengthen its presence in India.

"Today almost all of over 750 exhibitors are trading primarily with German companies," Nagpal said and predicted that this trend will continue. German companies have been trading with manufacturers and have looked at India as a reliable high quality supplier, Germany is one of India's main investors and one of the most important trading partners.

The trade fair group with its international operations having a turnover of DM 463 million had staged a total of 55 events which were attended by 47,000 exhibitors and 2.44 million visitors in 1997. It is a newcomer to Asia. Messe Frankfurt hasbeen a global player since 1987. By the end of 1998, the group will hold over 17 trade fairs in the Asia Pacific region alone.

Messe Frankfurt's partners for Automechnika India are Confederation of Indian Industry and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA). Automechanika India will be held during the 13th Indian engineering trade fair in February 1999 and around 120 exhibitors and 20,000 trade visitors are expected. The show is sponsored by leading German and international associations. Already German government participation is confirmed along with interest from Spain, Australia, Taiwan and other countries.

"Looking at India's potential for international trade and viewing the existing trade fair scenario, we believe that time is absolutely right to start our operations in India," Nagpal said. The organisers of the fair want to enhance the domestic trade fairs by bringing international participation. Messe Frankfurt's wide network of over 106 foreign representatives offices worldwide willpromote events. y