International Hospitality Furniture Expo debuts in Bahrain

Poised as the Middle East's only fully dedicated furniture contract manufacturing exhibition targeting the fit-out of hotels, service apartments, commercial projects, cruise liners and other hospitality projects, IHFEX ends on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, Ms Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International group, the co-organiser of IHFEX, said,

'The Middle East's hotel and tourism industry has more than doubled in the last decade with new hotel projects taking shape every year. As such, IHFEX is timely as it provides the platform for contract manufacturers to start making inroads into this potentially lucrative market place.'

IHFEX features over 20 leading furniture makers and interior fit out specialists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE. In addition, high profile contract manufacturers from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia will also showcase their latest designs during the exhibition.

A Singapore pavilion, led by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, will include several established names in the furniture industry who have completed an impressive portfolio of hospitality projects.

The pavilion will also feature winning entries from the Furniture Design Award (FDA), which is presented annually to talented designers from across Asia during the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show.

Catering to the hospitality industry, an interesting array of exquisite furniture pieces and accessories will be on show. These include bedding and bathroom amenities, closets and woodworks, fabrics and carpets, tile and flooring coverings, lightings and fixtures, and more.

Exhibitors from Singapore include Cheng Meng Furniture, Chez Design, Classic Ideas Design & Build, Classique Furnishings, Design Studio Furniture Manufacturer, Getz Bros & Co., and Japfa Comfeed International.

They are joined by exhibitors from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East, consisting Alomi Real Wood Floors, Creative Closets, Euro-Design, FOB Asia, LY Furniture, Middle East Mattress Factory, O.P. Design and Trevira M.E.

IHFEX will have a specially designed hosted buyers programme with more than 30 top tier buyers from the region comprising architects, interior designers, real estate developers and other industry leaders invited to attend the exhibition.

Mr Tony Chan, Project Director of IHFEX, commented, 'The contract manufacturing sector holds immense potential for companies seeking expansion into the vibrant Gulf markets. We are confident that IHFEX will serve as an excellent business gateway into the Gulf region.'

IHFEX is open to trade visitors from 3 to 5 September 2007. Opening hours are from 10:00am to 5:00pm (3 and 4 September) and 10:00am to 3:00pm (5 September).