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THOUSANDS of visitors flocked to the seventh Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre as deals were discussed and new contacts cemented.
In total 127 exhibitors – representing the aluminium, steel & alloys, industrial processes & manufacturing, energy and environmental protection, ports, logistics and free trade zones, training for industry, industrial safety and security and marine and deep sea services segments – participated in the regional showcase for the Northern Gulf, which concluded on Thursday.
Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of show organisers Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), said: “We enjoyed three days of networking and deal-making among exhibitors and visitors.”
In addition to companies from Bahrain, 15 other countries – Australia, Belgium, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, India, Italy, Pakistan, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, UK and the US – were being represented by their products, more than twice the number in 2013.
The three-day show also featured a dedicated zone for presentations from leading industrial companies about services, products and procurement requirements.
The total number of unique registered visitors increased by six per cent to 3,200 from 10 countries and footfall over three days was recorded at nearly 5,000.
Small on-the-spot deals were struck instantaneously including one for eight trucks and larger contracts are set to be signed, sealed and delivered as a result of the fair and announced in the near future.
The fair’s strategic sponsors included Bahrain’s National Oil & Gas Authority in association with Bapco; Alba, one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters; Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard; First Bahrain-Majaal Warehouse Company, Ahmed Mansour Al Ali, British Offset Office, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Middle East Association, AHK (German Chambers Network), GAC and Machinery Trade International.
Heavy Vehicles & Constructions Equipment division of A. A. Bin Hindi Group, the sole distributor of Volvo Construction Equipment and Renault Trucks in Bahrain, were amongst the participants. General manager Amin Tahon said: “With pride, we can state that today our division is one of the most sought-after suppliers of road and constructions equipment and heavy duty trucks for business activity. 2014 looks very promising with more and more development projects in the pipeline, and the adaptability of our product range.”
Smaller concerns also prospered. Tamkeen yet again extended financial assistance to SME (small-to-medium enterprises) exhibitors under its ‘Tarweej’ growth assistance scheme, whereby up to 80 per cent of the participating costs of eligible companies were covered.
The event was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. At this week’s cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace he congratulated Gulf Industry Fair 2014, which was held under his patronage, and the Autumn Fair which witnessed a high number of participants and attendees, and called on more specialised exhibitions to be staged in the kingdom.
