The region's key decision makers turn out in force as major deals are struck at Middle East Electricity 2007

First time exhibitors Simbaf Cables of Iran, have already received a great deal of interest in their product range. "We have already met a lot of seriously interested contractors and distributors at the show and we are confident that their interest will translate into substantial orders," said a company spokesman. "As a great deal of our business is with the Iranian Government, our products have to be of the highest possible specification to meet their stringent approvals, and as a result, that has led to orders from Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and the Ukraine. We are at Middle East Electricity to further expand our business across the region, and have found that in addition to meeting decision makers from the Middle East it also gives us the opportunity to meet potential customers from all over the world."

The exhibition, which showcases over 850 local and international exhibitors from 53 countries, features Germany's biggest ever participation at any energy event anywhere in the world and the largest Italian representation ever seen at Middle East Electricity.

German exhibitor Weidmuller Interface, have been regular exhibitors at Middle East Electricity for the last 5 years, viewing it as the most important show for them and the place to be for any kind of electrical industry equipment. "This market is showing the biggest development and growth for us, and our current focus areas are Saudi Arabia and Qatar - in fact one our most recent contracts is with Dodsal for the Raslaffan upgrade project in Qatar - this is the reason that we have a larger stand this year," said Stuart Bell of Weidmuller. "We use Middle East Electricity to meet our existing customers and key clients, to meet new customers and show new and existing products. It's important for us to have a presence at the show to keep our profile high and also to keep abreast of what our competitors are doing."

Lighting at Middle East Electricity, the largest and longest-running lighting exhibition in the region, is internationally recognised as the most important event for the industrial, commercial and residential lighting sectors, and this year, covering over 4,500 square metres and featuring more than 300 lighting related companies, is the region's largest ever showcase of local and international lighting expertise.

"For us, Middle East Electricity 2007 has been perfect, beautiful - we have achieved all of our objectives in being here, and have met key decision makers from all over the GCC who are interested to do business with us'" said Abdulaziz Al Awaili of Nardeen Lighting Co. from Saudi Arabia. "The show was extremely successful for us last year, and as a result, our stand this year is twice as big, enabling us to show our very latest products.

"The show works for us on a number of levels - firstly it allows us to meet and have valuable discussions with our existing suppliers and clients, and importantly, it allows us to raise our international profile - we already do business in Syria, Jordan and the Sudan, and are looking to expand this reach to continue the strong growth of our company."

"This year we have met with a very broad range of potential new customers, from consultants to interior designers and technical engineers, and this has generated opportunities for us to present technical specifications for a number of projects," he added.

Water at Middle East Electricity, a new addition to the show for 2007, allows visitors to view the latest products and services from the water, desalination and waste water industries and meet some of the world's leading authorities in the field.

"Feedback from exhibitors has universally praised the extremely high quality of the visitors, and many of the 850 companies taking part in the show this year have already signed significant deals or received serious business enquiries," said Sarah Woodbridge, Group Director Exhibitions, IIR Middle East - organisers of the event. "This really underlines the power and effectiveness of Middle East Electricity in attracting the region's key decision makers and further strengthens the international standing of the show, which is ranked as one of the world's most important energy events."

"All of the world's major energy companies are at the show, and many companies who were here for the first time last year to test the market, have returned, having identified the huge potential, to firmly establish themselves in the Middle East."

Supported by the Federal Electricity and Water Authority and The UAE Ministry of Energy, Middle East Electricity 2007 runs until Wednesday 14th February at Dubai International Exhibition Centre, and is open from 10am to 6pm.