Bahrain is all geared up to host the country's first international air show, being held later next month. About 40 companies from various sectors of business, defence and commercial aviation will showcase their products at the show.

Work is close to completion for the inaugural Bahraitn International Air Show (BIAS), said organisers Farnborough International Limited (FIL).

The three-day event is being held in co-operation with the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad at the Sakhir Airbase from January 21.

Preparations are right on track for the January 4 completion date, said an FIL spokeswoman.

'The construction of the main buildings is just about finished and we are mainly concentrating on the interiors at this stage,' she said.

'Of course there will be the inevitable last-minute panic, but at the moment, we are delighted to be right on track for the scheduled handover date of January 4.

'Over 95 per cent of the corporate chalets have now been sold and we've got some of the biggest names in the industry coming on board so we're all delighted with the way things are going.'

Invitations to take part in the event were issued towards the end of last year and the CAA and FIL have confirmed a steady flow of sales from across all sectors of aerospace industry.

Almost 40 companies from various sectors of business, defence and commercial aviation have signed up for the show, which is hoped will become a one-of-a-kind event in the aerospace calendar.

Comprising 40 chalets and no exhibitions halls, companies are offered tailor-made opportunities to network with highly important delegations and executives, said organisers.

A total of 50 business chalets, a media centre, a restaurant and a reception area comprise some of the new buildings on the Sakhir site.

Participants at BIAS 2010 include Airbus, BAE Systems, Blenheim Capital Partners, Boeing, Cessna, DHL, Gulf Air, Lockheed Martin and Rolls Royce among others.

Alongside the commercial aspects of BIAS 2010, a special public event will also take place.

'With the construction work coming to completion, we will concentrate on the publicity campaign for the open event,' said the spokeswoman.

'Having launched the new television advertisements, we will now be rolling out a series of billboard and sign-post advertisements across Bahrain.'

One-day tickets are available through http://www.farnborough.com/Site/Content/bahrain/ and through selected Batelco stores at BD7 for adults and BD3 for children.

Members of the public would also be able to pay on the day at the site.

There they will be treated to a series of flying and static displays by some of the biggest names in the business, as well as live music and refreshment.

The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa will provide the catering services at the event.

BIAS organisation committee chairman Captain Abdulrahman Mohamed Al Gaoud said he was delighted to have the Ritz-Carlton on board.-TradeArabia News Service