Automechanika, a major international automotive trade show brand, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia, as it looks to boost direct access to one of the world’s most lucrative countries for the automotive aftermarket.

Automechanika Jeddah will take place from Jan. 26-28, 2016 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events, with its inaugural edition set to welcome more than 125 exhibitors from over 20 countries.

The three-day event is organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East in partnership with Saudi-based Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), and is the 15th installment of Automechanika globally.

Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the UAE-based subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt Group, is also the organizer of Automechanika Dubai, the wider MEA’s largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition.

Automechanika Jeddah will be Messe Frankfurt’s first trade show to take place in the Middle East outside of the UAE, further emphasizing the importance of Saudi Arabia’s automotive industry which, according to government sources, imported 1,006,248 cars, commercial vehicles and trucks valued at $ 20.9 billion in 2013.

“With 7.1 million passenger vehicles on its roads, Saudi Arabia is poised to become the manufacturing hub of the Middle East’s automotive industry,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“Demand for spare parts is also on the rise, valued at $3.8 billion in 2013 and growing at 7.7 percent annually over the next five years to reach $5.5 billion by 2020.

Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, said: “Saudi Arabia’s high purchasing power and the projected growth in the automotive and supplier sectors offer substantial potential for an international trade fair like Automechanika.”

Essam Mojalid, deputy chairman of ACE Group, said: “ACE’s extensive industry experience and knowledge of the Saudi market combined with the global recognition of the Automechanika brand means we can build a powerful synergy.”