Some of the biggest names in the industrial sector of Northern Gulf and beyond will be taking part in the upcoming Gulf Industry Fair (GIF), to be held at Bahrain, in a clear sign that the GCC remains open for industrial investment and opportunities.

The leading business-to-business exhibition for the Northern Gulf’s industrial sector, GIF is being organised by Bahrain-based Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE). It will run from February 8 to 10 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

High-level strategic support for this year's Fair is provided by 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; Majaal, a leading logistics project; British Offset and The General Organisation of Sea Ports Bahrain (GOP), Bahrain’s maritime regulator.

Other leading exhibitors from the Kingdom include Zayani Polymer Factory, a state-of-the-art polyethylene and polypropylene producer; International Technical Supplies and Services (ITSS), which represents global refractory manufacturers and installers; Bridge Industrial Services; Tamkeen, which supports private sector job creation; Baytik  Industrial Oasis, the only specialised industrial zone in the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP); Chevron Bahrain, a subsidiary of the international oil giant; Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco); and Midal Cables, a global powerhouse in the manufacturing and distribution of cables.

From Saudi Arabia, prominent participants include Alaa for Industrial Equipment (AFI), which provides innovative solutions for industrial applications; and Dresser Al Rushaid Valve & Instrument Co (Darvico), which will showcase its valve and process instrumentation products.

A total of more than 90 exhibitors will participate at GIF2011, representing the key industrial segments of aluminium, machine tools, manufacturing, automation, steel, energy, logistics, ports and Free Zones.

The Aluminium Pavillion, under the supportive umbrella of Alba, will alone stretch over 4,500 sq ft of the BIECC. In addition to exhibitors from Gulf countries, companies from China, India, Germany, Azerbaijan, the UK and Switzerland will showcase their products and services.

HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said, “The overall economic vision for many countries is around the need for wealth to drive demand for their service economies. It is clear that this wealth creation will come from industry. The industrial manufacturing and services sector will see outstanding growth opportunities over the next few years and this positive vision of the future for Bahrain and the rest of GCC forms the basis of HCE’s vision for Gulf Industry Fair.'

'The high calibre line up of exhibitors, some of whom are national economic pillars, reflects the Fair’s growing status as the leading business-to-business exhibition for the Northern Gulf’s industrial sector,' noted Abdulrahman.

'The Gulf Industry Fair is a positive contribution to the EDB’s vision 20-30 for Bahrain,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service