Prime Minister to open Infdex '09 for first time

Demonstrating the power of the Qatari economy and its ability to stay resilient in the face of the global economic crisis facing nearly every other nation, Infdex '09 has sold out 75% of its 10,000 sq m exhibition space three months in advance of the 21 October opening ceremony and is now regarded as the #1 show in the region for furniture and interior design.

Guaranteed to be the biggest interior design exhibition ever seen in Qatar, over 130 leading local and international interior designers, furniture manufacturers and retailers will exhibit at the Doha Exhibition Center from 21st to 24th October 2009.

"Infdex and Qatar Expo are honored to welcome His Excellency as he opens the region's foremost interior design and furniture exhibition. As an international exhibition, Infdex reflects the prosperity and high standards for which Qatar has now become known around the world,"

commented Qatar Expo C.E.O., Mr. Karim Zarka.

Bigger than ever, Infdex '09 offers exhibitors an additional 33% static exhibition space compared with 2008 and will again host the glittering Infdex Design Awards ceremony to inspire exhibitors from Qatar, Italy, U.A.E., Lebanon, Egypt, Pakistan, Spain, Turkey and Saudi Arabia as they look to impress an expected 7,000 trade and public visitors at Qatar's only major furniture and design exhibition.

Reflecting Qatar's continued affluence and growing influence in the regional design sector, the trend among Infdex '09 exhibitors is for mega stands which offer creative home, office and shop design solutions.

Leading the demand for larger Infdex exhibition stands is Qatar's #1 home furnishing company Azadea Group, whose 180 sq m stand for the company's Singways and Zara Home brands is the biggest so far booked at Infdex '09. Expect to see an exclusive showcase of their 2010 designs revealed at Infdex '09.

Infdex Spokesman Georges Saliba says:

"The increased demand for large exhibition stands demonstrates how 'Infdex is not only a major event in Qatar's business calendar, it is also growing in prominence as one of the region's main events for doing business and networking in the interior design and furniture sectors."

Confirming Infdex's growing international reputation, Lebanon's high quality home and bedroom furniture manufacturer Sleep Comfort are exhibiting at Qatar's largest interior design show for the first time, displaying their latest range of furniture, home accessories, tableware and giftware on an impressive 120 sq m stand.

One international exhibitor who sees clear benefits of exhibiting at Infdex '09 are Italian luxury glass designers Formia International and Vivarini, whose 150 sq m Infdex stand will feature samples of exclusive, hand-blown glass sculptures created for the biggest names in fashion and design including Armani, Fendi, Christian Dior and Bvlgari.

"Formia International and Vivarini have been selling to an exclusive clientele for almost 50 years. Every single piece in our product range is the result of an artistic and cultural heritage. We are delighted to be exhibiting at Infdex '09 because Qatar and other Gulf countries are becoming increasingly important markets for luxury goods designers such as ourselves," says Luigi Monti, President & CEO Formia International.