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The 2012 editions of gulfBID and gulfInteriors opened yesterday and have already pulled in thousands of trade visitors as well as consumers while generating significant business for their exhibitors.
The twin shows, which enjoy the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, are being held simultaneously until tomorrow at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).
'The construction show’s many highlights include equipment, trucks, wheel loaders, cutting-edge scaffolding and waterproofing, concrete blocks and, fine marble, glass and flooring to namejust a few,” said Ahmed Suleiman, the conference director of Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE).
'The interiors show is even more colourfulthis year with trendy furniture, Italian lighting, paints and coatings, wood, playground equipment and even aquariums on show.”
An affiliate of Bahrain’s Al Hilal Group, HCE is the organiser of the two trade shows, which are in their sixth and second editions respectively.
In addition to a formidable Bahraini presence, companies from Turkey, Singapore, Europe, India and even the US have added international stature to the events. Together, gulfBID and gulfInteriors boast close to 140 exhibitors.
Bahrain’s Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali (AMA) Group is one of the biggest exhibitors at the show, with a floor space of 240sq/m, recently featured in BusinessWeekly.
A leading business conglomerate with an annual turnover well in excess of BD100 million, AMA is showcasing German-made MAN trucks, wheel loaders, skid steer loaders and other construction equipment.
AMA’s activities comprise building construction, civil engineering, civil works for industrial infrastructure,piling and excavation works and marine works. The group’s expertise and footprint are stamped on several iconic projects in the kingdom.
Another major exhibitor with 268sq/m of exhibition space is the Grnata Group, which has launched a new waterproofing product called Al Chimica. The group is using the event to introduce new products from renowned global companies on the local and regional markets.
Established in 1982, it has eightdivisions, including Grnata Real Estate headquartered in Seef and Grnata Towers Contracting, one of Bahrain’s leading construction companies, which is located in Jidhafs. In addition to its traditional role as a main contractor, the company is also engaged in property management and development in various parts of the kingdom.
A first-time exhibitor at gulfInteriors and one of Bahrain’s trendiest furniture firms, Trends Haus represents more than 20German and international interior brands.
Catering primarily to the project market, Trends Haus offers a comprehensive range of mid-to up-market German furniture at competitive prices, ideal for the hospitality, commercial, residential, and airport sectors.
The interiors show also has Bahrain-basedlighting firm Al Bait, which will be showcasing the products and services ofItaly’s iGuzzini, a highly-acclaimed European lighting specialist, among others.
Al Bait represents some of the biggest European and US names, and has been lighting up some of Bahrain’s most recognisable landmarks, including most recently the Arcapita bank headquarters.
Its other landmark projects include The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain, the Bahrain International Circuit and the Royal Golf Club.
Other major exhibitors include Saudi Arabia’s Manar Al Omran, a leading establishment for scaffolding and formwork, Bahrain-based Al Kobaisi Block Factory, one of the major manufacturers of concrete blocks dwp, a multi-award winning integrated global interior designand architectural consultancy, Mohammad Bin Jasim Al Zayani Trading, whose portfolio includes modern office furniture manufactured in Italy and the American Hardwood Export Council, the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry.
gulfBID and gulfInteriors are supported by Tamkeen, the Industry and Commerce Ministry, German Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, British Expertise and the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority. Both exhibitions are open to visitors from 10am to 8pm.
