More than 100 exhibitors from 21 countries will showcase their products, services and capabilities at the fifth edition of Gulf Industry Fair opening on February 7 in Bahrain.

The three-day fair, is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain.

It is organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) and will be held at Hall 1 of the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), featuring some of the biggest names in the industrial sector of the Northern Gulf and beyond.

This year, the Fair’s status as a positive showcase of Bahrain’s industrial capacity has been greatly enhanced by support from Tamkeen (Labour Fund). Under the terms of its Tarweej support programme, 38 of the 107 exhibiting companies at the Fair are receiving a subsidy of 80 per cent of their participating costs.

Among those exhibitors benefitting are Balexco, Al Thawadi, Ameeri Industries and Electrical Mechanical Industries in the Fair’s dedicated Alumunium Zone, as well as several other companies in the Energy and Ports & Logistics Zones.

Jubran Abdulrahman, HCE managing director said: “The one-shop approach Tamkeen has taken by appointing HCE as a packager of applications for Tarweej has proved a success. Through the strategic partnership, we have promoted Tarweej via HCE’s marketing and business development expertise. This cost-effective strategic partnership ensures Bahrain’s small and medium-sized enterprises benefit through Tamkeen’s programmes.”

This year, for the first time, Gulf Industry Fair will feature a national pavilion from Holland, while several companies will be making their debuts. More than 20 companies representing the downstream aluminium industry will participate, reflecting that sector’s importance to Bahrain’s diversified economy.

“For this year’s show we have developed and built upon the successful aspects of the 2011 Fair, resulting in vibrant Zones for the Aluminium, Energy and Ports and Logistics sectors. We look forward with eager anticipation to welcoming exhibitors and visitors to this year’s Fair, which takes place in an environment of industrial investment and promotion across the GCC,” added Abdulrahman.

The show’s strategic sponsors include Bahrain’s National Oil & Gas Authority (Noga) in association with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco); Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters; British Offset and The General Organisation of Sea Ports Bahrain (GOP), Bahrain’s maritime regulator.

Supporting organisations include the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce, British Expertise, the German Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, The Gulf Aluminium Council and  Machinery Trade International.

The exhibition will be open to trade visitors only from 11am to 7pm on 7 February, and 10am to 7pm on the remaining two days.

For more information, visit gulfindustryfair.com. – TradeArabia News Service