Booming Middle East housing market key target for ICI Dulux

With many building projects now complete, and people living in their new properties for a couple of years, there is a big drive to add individual style to the new homes.

"People in the Middle East are looking to replace standard colours that are found in every new home. They want to apply a personal touch and are seeking out increasingly bold colours,"

said Tony Myers, Managing Director, Licensing and Export Business, ICI Paints, during a recent visit to the newly opened Dulux Decorator Centre, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence.

ICI Dulux has been operating in the Middle East for over a decade, with its products manufactured exclusively in the UAE at Al Gurg Leigh's Paints.

The paint market is worth nearly Dhs750m across the Middle East each year, and Al Gurg Leigh's Paints is expanding its range into 50 new Dulux Decorator Centres across the UAE to cope with the increased demand.

Al Gurg Leigh's Paints, with ICI Dulux, were pioneers in bringing local decorator centre's to the Middle East. With the population in the UAE in particular growing at a tremendous rate there is a need for community-based stores which can offer the right kind of advice and support to people looking to improve their home.

"We are seeing a big trend in people taking more interest in the look and feel of their home. As rental prices increase more people are deciding to purchase their own property, and wanting to put their own stamp on it,"

said Sunil Gudur, Chief Manager, Al Gurg Leigh's Paints.

"Dulux Decorator Centre's provide a local service and offer specialist guidance and advice to people who have imaginative ideas for the look of their new home but don't have the expertise to do the work themselves," added Gudur.

The Dulux Decorator Centre at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, offers advice on choosing the correct paints for each room, and also can arrange for qualified experts to do the work.