The latest greenhouses, as well as ‘green walls and roofs’ and sophisticated kitchen gardens will be showcased at the Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) this year.
The event is being organised by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) in collaboration with Tamkeen and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) under the theme Agricultural Technology.
With more than 130 exhibitors covering a 7,500sq/m area, the 10th anniversary show promises to be the most impressive one yet, organisers say.
Among the main attractions this year will be a particularly large showing of Italian exhibitors. In addition to showcasing their goods, the Italians are also assisting the organisers with the event’s theme, showcasing some of their advanced agricultural technologies.
“Since this year is our 10th anniversary, the show will include a special display celebrating its history and development over the last 10 years,” said Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, general co-ordinator of BIGS.
“BIGS has been growing steadily since it started. The number of exhibitors has more than doubled and the total floor space is almost twice as big as well. Even more impressively, the number of visitors has increased from around 6,000 in the early years to more than 16,000 last year. And this year we are expecting even further growth.”
The popular Bahrain Garden Club’s (BGC) 49th annual Flower and Vegetable competition is being held again this year on the sidelines of BIGS.
Following an official opening on February 26, BIGS will be open to the public at the Bahrain International Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 27 until March 1.
It is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, and with the support of His Majesty’s wife Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who is president of NIAD.
Visitors to BIGS include VIPs, architects, consultants, developers and other industry professionals, as well as retail consumers.
Among the technologies on display are various types of greenhouses, ‘green walls’ (walls used as a growing medium, partially or completely covered with vegetation), ‘green roofs’ (planting on the roofs of buildings), and kitchen gardens and other technologies that help grow plants in a domestic environment. Also on display will be the latest in urban planning and landscaping, and methods of producing, treating and economically utilising water.