Front 2004 opens tomorrow at Expo Centre Sharjah

The show will be open until 17th March 2004.

"With trade visitors registered from 26 different countries set to visit this exhibition, the event is poised to be the key meeting point for everyone who counts in the Middle East's fenestration industry," said Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member of Expo Centre Sharjah, at a press conference organised on the eve of the show.

The show has generated interest from many parts of the world, with trade visitors having pre-registered to visit the event from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Turkey, UAE and the UK.

Front is the Middle East's first and only specialized event dedicated to showcasing the latest range of doors, windows, blinds, roofs, walls and products and technology used in fabricating & maintaining them.

Speaking on the world-wide windows and doors industry, Mr. Mosharrekh said, "Worldwide demand for windows and doors is projected to rise more than 5.7 per cent per year to US$ 147 billion in 2007, according to a recent study conducted by the Cleveland-based Freedonia Group Inc. Turkey, China, India, Brazil and Mexico are expected to record some of the best market gains.

"Increase in demand, according to the study," he continued, "will be primarily fueled by an acceleration in new building construction activity in developing areas, including the Middle East region.

"The widespread construction activity in the UAE and the GCC, in fact, has already led to a steady increase in demand for fenestration and allied products such as doors, windows, glass, blinds, etc., with estimated imports of these products reaching US $ 102 million in 2002 as compared to US $ 96 million in 2001. Front has been conceived by us to serve this increased demand," he said.

"The current trend in the GCC region is towards high quality, automated buildings, with builders and contractors on the perpetual lookout to incorporate the latest advances and high-tech
products in their buildings.

"Front 2004 will act as a convenient and comprehensive sourcing ground for the regional importers, contractors, architects, consultants and other professionals, enabling them to view and compare the latest products and developments from international suppliers."

The show has received a good response from a number of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers from Taiwan, Singapore, China, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Iran, India, Mozambique, Egypt, Syria and UAE, including 3M Gulf Limited, Conmix Ltd., Renner Premium Building Materials, Tamco Gulf Limited, National Paints, Middle East Insulation, Al Rahmani General Trading Co. LLC, Karam Group, Sedar, Secco Iran, Oriental Hall, Marquis Decoration, Rassana Engineering Ind. Co. LLC., Leader Aluminium & Glass Ind. LLC, Al-Arabi Aluminium & Rolling Shutters Mfg. and Al Hazza Contracting & Trading who are participating at Front 2004.

3M Gulf, the leading providers of innovative products for the construction industry will be holding a Seminar on 15th March, in conjunction with the exhibition, focusing on - "Practical and Innovative Solutions offered by 3M for the Construction Industry".

Expo Centre Sharjah has launched a dynamic and interactive website (www.expo-centre.ae/front) where exhibitors and visitors can enquire, pre-register online and source updated information on 'Front 2004'. The show will be open everyday from 14 to 17 March 2004, from 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm.