The 2014 edition of the Gulf Industry Fair, the premier industrial B2B gathering for the Northern Gulf region, opened today in Bahrain with as many as 127 exhibitors from 15 countries taking part, a new fair record.

The three-day event was inaugurated this morning by Bahrain’s Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).

The annual B2B event is being held over 3,400 sq m of booked space, also another record in the show’s seven-year history.

Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), which is part of Bahrain’s Al Hilal Group and the show’s organiser, says that the Gulf Industry Fair has become a key business-enabler in the Gulf, where billions of dollars are being pumped into the industry sector.

"With the GCC states, including the Northern Gulf countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, spending billions of dollars in a bid to diversify their economies, events like the Gulf Industry Fair have a key role to play in the industrial diversification of the region," HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said.

Major sponsors have once again thrown their weight behind the fair, including Alba, Asry, National Oil and Gas Authority and Bapco, Majaal Warehouse Company and Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali, said the organisers.

Tamkeen, Bahrain's Labour Fund, is also playing a key role at the fair by supporting local companies through its Tarweej scheme and providing up to 80 per cent of their participating costs.

There are eight sector-specific zones at the show: Aluminium (supported by Alba), Ports and Maritime Industries (supported by Asry), Logistics and Industrial Facilities (supported by First Bahrain-Majaal), Industrial Processes and Manufacturing (supported by Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali), Energy and Environmental Protection (supported by Noga and Bapco), Industrial Metals - Steel and Alloys, Training for Industry, and Industrial Safety and Security.

Last year's show drew as many as 3,000 visitors and generated a wealth of business leads for exhibitors.

Hopes are high that this year's show will be an even bigger success as the Northern Gulf's industrial sector continues its drive ahead.

Gulf Industry Fair 2014 will be open until Thursday, from 9am to 7pm. – TradeArabia News Service