A total of 50.712 people visited the 25^th International Machine-Tool Biennial at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on 3-8 March. Domestic visitor numbers were up by 7% and foreign visitors by 10,4%, reinforcing the strong image of an event that attracted trade visitors from 66 countries.

The increase in foreign visitors is highly significant, coming as it does after a major increase in 2006. This consolidates BIEMH as an international event. The Bilbao Exhibition Centre has described the figures as "excellent" in view of the moderate slowdown in the current macroeconomic climate.

Throughout the week there was a steady flow of trade visitors to the BEC both from benchmark countries in the sector with high levels of industrialisation and from countries which are industrialising fast, e.g. Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, China, Switzerland, the UK and Turkey.

Numerous representatives of public institutions also visited the 25^th BIEMH. More than 80 officers of the central and regional governments, along with representatives of industrial and economic associations, foreign and domestic trade bodies and the education sector dropped in on the event.