Three major trade shows featuring 130 exhibitors from across the building and construction, interiors and real estate sectors were opened this morning (May 6) in Manama by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain.

The ‘3Gs’, as they are termed, comprise the flagship eighth gulfBID exhibition, the third gulfInteriors exhibition and the second Gulf Property Show.

Traditionally held under the Premier’s patronage, they are staged simultaneously under one roof at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) from May 6 until May 8.

The Premier, after inaugurating the show, toured the various stands together with Bahrain's Industry Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro and other dignitaries.

"Covering more than 5,500 sq m of floor space in total, the three shows provide a one-stop shop – allowing visitors, for example, to buy a property, source repair and renovation solutions and interior decor all in one venue," said Jubran Abdulrahman, the managing director of Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), the Bahrain-based company which has successfully built the three distinct yet complementary show brands.

The gulfBID 2014, the exhibition for the Northern Gulf’s construction and building sectors, is considered the ultimate B2B and B2C networking event across the entire construction-interiors-real estate supply chain.

It will feature a remarkable line-up of participants in Hall 1 of the BIECC, and continue its tradition of bringing some of the top names in specialist construction, contracting and related sectors into direct contact with regional decision-makers such as senior project managers and procurement personnel.

The gulfInteriors, meanwhile, will continue to leverage its identity as a convergence point for the interiors, design and furniture worlds and feature both home-grown and international brands covering the furniture, paints, kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, ceramics, wall coverings and art and accessories segments.

The Gulf Property Show, Bahrain’s only dedicated real estate event, made its debut in 2013 and this year it will be 60 per cent bigger, hosting major developers, consultants and professionals.

It will feature properties on offer from Turkey, the UK, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The event will also host the inaugural meeting of the Middle East Facilities Management Association’s Bahrain Chapter tomorrow.

All three exhibitions enjoy strong public and private sector support from organisations including Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Tamkeen Labour Fund, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AHK-The German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, British Expertise and the Bahrain Property Development Association.

Despite the logistical challenges of simultaneously staging and building separate brand identities of the shows, HCE's sheer popularity has helped raise the profile.

"Combined, the 3Gs will welcome more than 130 exhibitors offering a unique choice of real estate, building materials, equipment, furniture and interior decor," added Abdulrahman.

Last year’s editions attracted 9,500 visitors. gulfBID, gulfInteriors and the Gulf Property Show will be open from 9 am to 9 pm on all three days. Admission is free.-TradeArabia News Service