Lighting Middle East at Middle East Electricity attracts 247 per cent more lighting visitors than any other show in the region

'The world leaders in lighting technology showcase their products at Lighting Middle East, part of the Middle East Electricity exhibition, which is rated as the top event of its kind in the world by visitors and exhibitors,' said Sarah Woodbridge, Group Director Exhibitions, IIR Middle East - organisers of the event.

'Of the 24,000 high quality visitors to this year's show, over 13,600 came specifically to see the latest lighting products and meet the leading global industry players. Middle East Electricity's leading position is underpinned by recently published figures which show that the region's other lighting exhibition, held in May 2006, attracted just 5,500 visitors.'

The Middle East, North Africa and Indian subcontinent continue to experience unparalleled growth in both commercial and residential construction, and feature many of the world's most outstanding projects. Projects planned, or already under development, in the Gulf alone now exceed US$1 trillion.

Lighting is playing an increasingly significant role, as designers and architects use the greater creative freedom that have resulted from recent technological advances to differentiate their projects. Malls, hotels, office buildings and high profile residential developments all now fully integrate lighting as an essential design component, and this has created heightened demand for a whole new range of lighting effects, concealed fittings, display lighting and ornamental fittings with higher specifications and innovative designs.

'Middle East Electricity has always been successful for us. It is a great opportunity for us to meet the key people from the regional industry. We see huge growth potential in the Middle East, and Middle East Electricity is very important to us, as it directly targets, and importantly attracts, the exact audience that we want to reach. We are already looking at a bigger presence in 2007', said Peter Rothnie, Marketing Manager, Osram Middle East.

The regional projects market, on a per capita basis, is now by far the largest globally, while the Middle East has the second largest share of project finance in the world. This massive level of investment, coupled with rapidly expanding populations and tourism sectors, underlines the Middle East's position as one of the most important markets for the international lighting industry.

'Lighting Middle East features the largest range of industrial, outdoor and specialist lighting ever seen in the Middle East,' added Woodbridge. 'Given the size of the market and the needs of the region, the exhibition has an important strategic role to fulfill, and, working with some of the biggest names in the lighting industry and supported by the key international trade associations, we are continuing to develop and enhance the lighting element of Middle East Electricity to further increase its effectiveness for both visitors and exhibitors.'

Featuring over 800 exhibitors from 51 countries, Middle East Electricity 2006 attracted a total of over 24,000 high quality visitors - the 2007 show, the 32nd staged in the region, will take place from 11-14 February 2007 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre.