科隆展览（Koelnmesse）将把EISENWARENMESSE卫星展引入乌兹别克斯坦，2026年11月塔什干首办中亚国际五金展

• Central Asia International Hardware Expo (CAIHE) to launch in November 2026 as Koelnmesse’s first event in Central Asia • Premiere of the international trade fair for construction, trades, industry, and retail in a dynamic growth region • New market access and growth prospects for German and European SMEs • The satellite event of the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is a key component of Koelnmesse’s internationalisation strategy

Koelnmesse is expanding into a new growth market: The Central Asia International Hardware Expo (CAIHE) will take place at the Uzexpocentre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 24 to 26 November 2026, marking the first international trade fair for the hardware and tools sector in Central Asia organised by Koelnmesse. The event will be staged by its subsidiary Koelnmesse Ltd., based in Hong Kong, together with the local partner Inter Dialog Ltd. With this new format, Koelnmesse is strategically introducing a strong global brand from its portfolio into a region with exceptional growth potential. The premiere in Tashkent therefore represents a further consistent step in the internationalisation strategy of the Cologne-based trade fair company.

“Central Asia stands at a remarkable crossroads. We are witnessing a region transforming itself through infrastructure and innovation – and this is where the opportunities lie,” says Gerald Böse, President & CEO of the Koelnmesse Group. “Central Asia International Hardware Expo is about building bridges, forging partnerships, and opening doors to possibilities. Together with our local partner, Inter Dialog, we see this as an opportunity to connect our global network with the region’s dynamic growth.”

A strategic bridge into a dynamic growth region

With a population of almost 84 million, Central Asia is one of the most dynamic future regions in Eurasia. In Uzbekistan alone, official forecasts predict that the population will grow by around 40 per cent to 52 million by 2050. Countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are undergoing a phase of profound modernisation, investing heavily in infrastructure, construction, and industrial development.

As a result, demand is increasing for professional solutions in construction, skilled trades, industry, and retail. The DIY and hardware market in Central Asia is expected to grow by an average of 3.4 per cent per year through to 2029, reaching a market volume of nearly USD 19 billion. In Uzbekistan alone, more than 750 major infrastructure projects are currently underway, according to government sources – including large-scale initiatives such as the sustainable urban development project “New Tashkent”, designed for around 2.5 million residents and incorporating key transport corridors.

Internationalisation strengthens leading trade fairs in Cologne

By expanding regional pillars, Koelnmesse is not only opening up new markets and business opportunities. “International trade fair platforms such as CAIHE also strengthen our leading trade fairs at our home base in Cologne – particularly by generating new exhibitor potential, additional visitor flows, and long-term international market access. This creates new opportunities abroad, especially for SMEs from Germany and Europe. As an international trade fair company, Koelnmesse contributes its global reach, industry expertise, and networks – thereby supporting SMEs in expanding their international sales activities,” explains Denis Steker, Senior Vice President International at Koelnmesse GmbH.

Strong local partner – global reach meets local expertise

Inter Dialog Ltd. has been active in Central Asia for eleven years. The company maintains close connections with key institutions and industry associations, including the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, and sector associations such as Uzbuildmaterials and Uzeltexsanoat.

“We know the specific dynamics of this market extremely well,” says Yuliya Vasilieva, Managing Director of Inter Dialog Ltd. “Our cooperation with Koelnmesse combines local expertise with global reach, creating the ideal platform for international suppliers. Exhibitors from around the world can establish genuine partnerships with regional buyers, distributors, and project stakeholders. Our focus is on creating sustainable business connections that will drive long-term growth in the hardware sector across Central Asia.”

International exhibitors and comprehensive B2B services

CAIHE will be positioned as a regional platform with an international profile. A strong exhibitor base is already planned for the premiere edition, including a China Pavilion organised in cooperation with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME).

For the first edition, Koelnmesse expects more than 5,000 qualified trade visitors, including retailers, wholesalers, distributors, industrial buyers, and professional tradespeople. A comprehensive supporting programme featuring matchmaking formats, delegation visits, and networking events will complement the exhibition and facilitate concrete business initiation.

Koelnmesse has long been the global market leader for trade fairs in the tools and hardware sector. The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair has been held in Cologne since 1971. Asia-Pacific Sourcing, the largest sourcing platform outside Asia, is also hosted in Cologne. In addition, Koelnmesse continues to expand its portfolio in key markets worldwide: the China International Hardware Show in Shanghai, the International Hardware Fair Italy in Bergamo, the International Hardware Fair India in New Delhi, and El Gran Salón Ferretero in Colombia are regionally leading trade fairs with strong international participation. In 2025, the portfolio was further expanded with the launch of the International Hardware Fair Indonesia in Jakarta and the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

Further information:

www.hardwareexpo-centralasia.com

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