Rapid growth of Bahraini construction and interiors sector leads to demand for dedicated industry showcase

Construction activity, currently running at its highest level for over 20 years, is founded on an active public sector, commissioning hospitals, mosques, fire stations, tourism and educational facilities. The public sector has budget allocations worth millions of dollars for infrastructure maintenance, including airports, hospitals, schools, streets and parks. Development in the private sector is even more ambitious, with the emphasis on hotels, leisure and commercial developments, shopping malls, apartment blocks and office towers.

Typical of the many projects recently announced by the Bahraini Government are the $6.6m uplift of Halat Abu Maher, the construction of the $106m ASL Bandar residential project, $16m for projects in Janabiya and Saar and $120m to revamp Bahrain's Central Market. These are in addition to the whole host of private sector developments that are announced on a regular basis.

In line with the industry demand that was evident following extensive research and discussions with leading players in the industry, dmg world media Dubai, in partnership with Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), a division of the Bahrain-based Al Hilal Group, will stage the inaugural gulfBID (Gulf Building, Interiors & Design) exhibition from May 16th to 18th 2006 at Bahrain's prestigious International Exhibition Centre.

Based on the world renowned Big 5 and Index shows that dmg holds annually in Dubai, gulfBID will give Bahrain and its neighbouring countries a dedicated, comprehensive showcase that will cover the entire building process from construction to interior furnishings.

Encompassing building and construction, water technology and environment, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration, cleaning and maintenance, glass and metal, bathrooms, ceramics and kitchens, marble and machinery, furniture production, furniture, fabrics, flooring, wall coverings, lighting, art and accessories, retail design and interior architecture and design, gulfBID will prove to be an essential meeting place for the industry.

'The construction boom continues at a rapid pace throughout the region, and as a result, professionals from the industry want to be able to see, first-hand, the latest developments and meet the world's leading companies - hence our decision to develop and launch a bespoke event that is a unique combination of building and interiors' said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai. 'gulfBID will give international and regional exhibitors increased penetration of the northern Gulf markets, and will bring, at the same time, the very latest global industry best practices to the region - we know that this will be well received by the industry and believe that this move will complement our Big 5 and Index exhibitions, both of which are well established and highly successful'.

Bahrain was chosen as the venue for gulfBID due to its strategic location. 'From the feedback we have already received, we anticipate a high visitor attendance that will include contractors and specifiers, architects, interior designers, engineers and buyers - the key decision makers from the Kingdom's rapidly expanding building and interiors sectors, in addition to those from Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as Bahrain is easily accessible by road from all of its neighbours' added Walsh.