Aftermarket suppliers in the UK gain Gulf opening through GCC trade agreement

Automechanika Dubai, running on 10 to 12 November 2026, puts UK companies in touch with buyers and industry professionals across the Gulf, Africa and Asia.

London, UK: Under the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) free trade agreement, market access should improve for UK automotive aftermarket suppliers in the six Gulf states. Negotiations between the UK and the GCC concluded in May 2026, and ratification by both sides must be completed before the agreement enters into force. Around 93% of the UK’s exports to the GCC will be free of tariffs once the agreement is fully implemented. According to the UK government, current UK exports would save around £580 million in duty every year.

Regional demand is rising at the same time for businesses in the automotive aftermarket. By 2031, Ken Research forecasts, the GCC automotive aftermarket will grow to USD 16 billion from USD 12 billion in 2025.

Automechanika Dubai gives UK businesses an opportunity to size up the market and build relationships before the agreement takes effect. The show’s 23rd edition is held at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai, on 10 to 12 November 2026. UK exhibitors and visitors can meet importers, distributors and workshop groups from across the Gulf in one place. Because Dubai serves as a re-export gateway, that reach stretches to Africa, Asia and key CIS markets. The 2025 edition welcomed exhibitors from 63 countries and visitors from 161 countries.

Messe Frankfurt Middle East organises the show, with government support from the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai serves as Host City Partner. For details on the organiser, see Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

Speaking about the venue change, Chris Lee, Portfolio Director, Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “After more than two decades at Dubai World Trade Centre, moving to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai feels like the right next step for Automechanika Dubai. The market is changing quickly, and the show needs the space and flexibility to keep changing with it.”

“What we are seeing across the region is a more varied aftermarket,” explained Automechanika Dubai Show Manager Tommy Le. “Conventional vehicles remain a major part of the market, but hybrid, electric and connected vehicles are changing the products, skills and technical knowledge the industry needs. Automechanika Dubai 2026 will bring that evolving mix together, giving businesses the opportunity to understand where the market is heading and build the relationships they need as the show moves to Dubai Exhibition Centre for the first time.”

More than 1,200 exhibitors are expected in 2026 from over 50 participating countries, among them Al Mokamel, AUMOVIO, Hella, Meyle and Hanon Systems. Across the automotive aftermarket value chain, the show has 11 product sections: parts and components, electrics and electronics, tyres and wheels, batteries and technology, diagnostics and repair, vehicle care and detailing, and digital solutions and services.

At least 20 content-led features and activations will be found on the exhibition floor: specialist conferences, practical training sessions, awards, live demonstrations, competitions, interactive experiences, and new launches. The conference programme aims to help automotive professionals understand market developments and get ready for changes in what customers, vehicles and workshops demand.

The audience spans manufacturers and suppliers, along with buyers, fleet operators, workshop professionals and distributors. Alongside that, this year’s show will reflect the broader mix of vehicles, technologies and business models shaping the Middle East and Africa aftermarket. Buyers, distributors and partners from the GCC and beyond will be waiting for UK suppliers in a single venue. With the UK-GCC agreement edging toward entry into force, those relationships could underpin future trade throughout the Gulf region. For more information, click here.