The largest combined business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) showpiece ever staged in Bahrain, held last month, has generated positive feedback from participants, as well as being an indicator of ongoing recovery in the Kingdom’s business sector.

Bahrain-based Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) hosted the landmark gulfBID, GulfInteriors and inaugural Gulf Property Show exhibitions from May 7 to 9 and the distinct, yet complementary, shows proved their worth to the participating companies in the construction, interiors and property sectors.

In comments during the high profile opening ceremony, Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa praised the quality of products showcased, and stated that construction went hand in hand with economic growth.

He hailed Saudi participation in the show, welcomed all Arab and foreign exhibitors and stressed Bahrain’s keenness on economic complementarity as a cornerstone of a projected Gulf union.

A total of 187 companies took part in the three shows, covering more than 7,500 sq m of space at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).

The “unique visitor tally” for the three days, meanwhile, exceeded 9,300 – the highest figure ever achieved for a single HCE show.

HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said: "Based on the feedback we have received in the weeks following the exhibitions from exhibitors and visitors, the three-show formula has been an unqualified success."

"The rationale behind adding the Gulf Property Show to the portfolio was to create a broad showcase across the entire product and service chain for these vital economic sectors. In practice, the three shows did indeed feed off each other, even if they each had their own unique feel and atmosphere," he stated.

HCE Exhibitions Director Ahmed Suleiman commented: “Feedback has been extremely positive across the board. Visitors have told us it was an even more user-friendly and accessible event than in the previous years of gulfBID and GulfInteriors, due simply to the increased scope of exhibitors and the enhanced visitor experience.”

Exhibitors have also expressed their satisfaction, with fresh deals signed, new products and services launched, and valuable contacts made.

“The first Gulf Property Show is the culmination of a number of significant initiatives and steps taken by the government to revitalise the economy, and what we see here is an effective showcase and platform,” said Aaref Hejres, Bahrain Property Developers Association  (BaPDA) chairman.

AMA Motors, part of the Ahmed Mansoor Al A’ali Group, chose gulfBID Exhibition to launch its new MAN CLA truck range; while Kobaisi Building Systems introduced its latest technology in the prefabrication of block wall and concrete elements.

Also at the show, Bahrain-based Falcon Trading announced plans to set up a trading arm in Saudi Arabia.

Manoj Bhatia, chairman of Naraina Holding Company, of which Falcon is part, said gulfBID had provided a good platform for the company to meet buyers and sellers.

Modern Glass Technology, meanwhile, announced it had secured sufficient deals at the exhibition to keep it busy for at least the next six months, while debutant Saria signed deals for the supply of parquet flooring imported from Europe.

Sanitaryware specialist Suha Galleria completed 20 deals on the very first day of GulfInteriors. Business development manager Khalid Nasser said: "We have been talking to individual customers and contractors and some developers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait and things have been much stronger this year."

"That is a reflection of a turn up in the industry both locally and across the region," he added.

Yousif Salahuddin of Serendipity sold 10 jacuzzis on opening day of GulfInteriors. London-based Lighting specialist Sylvania, with 17 factories across six countries, made its debut at the show which regional manager Fakhruddin Golwala said was “a positive move.”

A recurring theme at the BIECC was the ingenious designs of many exhibition booths. Making its first appearance at GulfInteriors, German Kitchens and Furnishings - a subsidiary of Sunday International - converted parts of its booth into model kitchens.

Rockweed, a specialist in fit-outs for restaurants and shops launched from its stall its Darna brand of products including LED lamps, sensor trash bins and fancy clocks.

Lumineux Interiors’ design director Manal Bukamal described the show as a great experience.

Also at the expo, Apoli highlighted new products including carpets and fabrics, and Bahrain Artistic Frames showed off its amazing repertoire of frames that has won it deals from major hotels over the past 25 years.

“We will repeat this format next year but we will clearly have to study and manage the exhibition space options available to us to keep pace with the increasing demand for all three shows,“ stated Abdulrahman.-TradeArabia News Service