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BAHRAIN'S oil and gas industry will be out in force at next week's Gulf Industry Fair, further boosting the 2009 exhibition's size and stature.
In a major shot in the arm for the event, the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) - through Bapco - has lent its support as the fair's energy sponsor, according to Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), the event's organiser.
Noga is headed by Bahrain's Oil and Gas Minister Dr Abdul-Hussain bin Ali Mirza and under his leadership, the authority has embarked on major exploration initiatives to boost the kingdom's energy industry. Now, under Dr Mirza's directive, Bapco has pledged to be a major energy sponsor and exhibitor at the fair, which runs from Tuesday to January 15 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIEC) in Bahrain.
And in a further boost for the event, Banagas, GPIC, and the Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Company, will also be present as part of Noga's stand.
The fair's other key sponsors are First Leasing Bank of Bahrain; Baytik Industrial Oasis, a project of the Kuwait Finance House (KFH); and telecommunications giant Zain.
Commenting on Noga's participation, Jubran Abdul Rahman, the managing director of HCE, says: "I'm delighted that Bahrain's oil and gas majors are showing their support for the Gulf Industry Fair. The presence of Bapco, Banagas and GPIC - all under the Noga umbrella - shows that the fair has quickly and firmly established itself as an event of repute since its inaugural edition in January 2008."
The second Gulf Industry Fair, the only major industrial exhibition for the Northern Gulf, is set to surpass the success of the first edition, having grown in size over the 2008 event, according to HCE. The inaugural event, held over an area of 2,700 sq m (net), attracted close to 100 exhibitors from 19 countries.
For 2009, major industry players from Saudi Arabia such as the AlRuqee Group and Pan Gulf Welding Solutions will once again be present.
AlRuqee is the biggest exhibitor at this year's event, while Pan Gulf Welding Solutions will be showcasing its specialised range of welding and cutting products.
Bahrain's Oilfield and Technical Supplies Centre was so impressed by the market response at the 2008 event, that it has increased its space from 112 to 203 sq m.
The 2009 fair has also attracted several new participants, including Tamkeen (the new identity for the Labour Fund of Bahrain), and Saudi Arabia's Ashcroft Al Rushaid Instrument.
The fair features 10 specialised segments: Gulf Aluminium, Gulf Metal, Gulf Machine Tools, Gulf Industrial Equipment, Gulf Energy, Gulf Metrology, Gulf Logistics, Gulf Automation, Gulf Manufacturing, and Industrial Areas and Free Zones.
The Gulf Industry Fair also enjoys the support of Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain Exhibitions and Conventions Authority, Junior Chamber International, the Russian-Arab Business Council, Jella Jella of the Netherlands and British Offset of the UK.
