Importance of the Asian interiors industry to the GCC continues to grow

As the regional construction sector continues to expand, and India rapidly gains recognition as another of the world's fastest growing interiors markets, this upward trend is set to continue and total values were expected to exceed US$6.5 billion in 2006.

The UAE accounts for 48% of all interiors imports into the GCC, and Saudi Arabia 31% - the size of the market is such that, in relative value terms, the Middle East and North Africa is now very close to attaining parity with the mature, well-established markets of the EU, USA and Japan.

Significantly, Asia is proving to be an important source of interiors products, with 15% of imports into the UAE originating in China, and 10% of Saudi imports from Malaysia. Asian companies were strongly represented at Index 2006, the Middle East's annual international showcase of the very best in interiors, which featured over 380 Asian and Far Eastern exhibitors, including groups from Vietnam and Singapore, countries which made their debuts at last year's show.

Resulting from extensive visitor research, a number of changes and enhancements that will be introduced for Index 2007 have been announced by dmg world media Dubai, organisers of the event which is the largest and most essential meeting place for the interiors industry in the region, and globally acknowledged as one of the most significant interiors shows held anywhere in the world.

"It was evident from visitor feedback that the huge size of the show now requires a new approach to assist them to more easily find companies, countries and products that interest them,"

said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai Ltd.

"One of the more important changes for Index 2007 is that we will totally dedicate the Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Maktoum Halls exclusively to furniture and furnishings from Asia. In addition to being of real benefit to visitors, the creation of what will be an incredibly impressive area recognises the ever-growing importance and market share of Asian manufactured products."

In 2006, Index again set a new attendance record, welcoming 36,994 visitors, an increase of over 7% on 2005 and in excess of projections - in addition to a 17% year on year increase in the number of trade visitors from Dubai, visitor traffic from other GCC countries was also very strong, and in total 62% of visitors came from outside Dubai.

"What gives Index such strong appeal is the fact that it is totally comprehensive, covering all of the key product areas - furniture, textiles, flooring, wall coverings, window products, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, ceramics, interior architecture, accessories, interior design services and furniture production," said Kim Willis, Exhibition Development Director of dmg world media Dubai. "Index, which celebrates it's 17th Anniversary in 2007, is designed specifically to maximise business success, and in line with our commitment to create an environment that brings together buyers and sellers in an environment that promotes opportunity and success, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance its effectiveness for both visitors and exhibitors."

Index 2006 hosted 1,575 exhibitors from 57 countries, plus 35 country pavilions, and continued to demonstrate strong growth against previous years. High level government support from the main international markets, combined with that of the most important global trade associations means that every year, Index features the world leaders alongside the key local and regional companies.

Index 2007, which takes place from 1-5 November at Dubai International Exhibition Centre, will once again be the biggest trade show in any sector in the whole of the Gulf region. "Absolute proof of the event's effectiveness is the high number of repeat bookings that we received for Index 2007 during last year's show," concluded Walsh.