BIPEX 2006 promises to emerge as one of the largest property exhibitions in GCC; to feature exhibitors from newer markets

Being held under the patronage of H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister of the Prime Minister's Court, Bahrain and in its third year, BIPEX 2006 will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre from 22-25 November 2006.

This year BSE along with BCEA has formalized an agreement with DSL Exhibitions to bring the Worldwide Property Show to Bahrain under the auspices of BIPEX 2006. This initiative would not just ensure that the BIPEX platform emerges as one of the largest property exhibitions in the GCC but would also result in the participation of several exhibitors from newer markets such as Thailand, Gibraltar, Bulgaria and the Caribbean, in addition to those from the traditional markets of with international developers from Australia, Cyprus, France, England, Spain, the USA, Asia Pacific and other GCC countries.

Commenting on this initiative and the overall objectives of BIPEX 2006, Mr. Jameel Khalaf Al Alawi, Director of Conferences, BSE, said, 'The introduction of the World Wide Property Show under the BIPEX umbrella will further help us strengthen our portfolio, and attract a higher diversity of investors. BIPEX 2005 hosted close to ten thousand visitors, and this year we are expecting to exceed this number with an expected footfall of around 15,000 visitors.

'To cater to these higher numbers of both participants and expected visitors we have doubled the gross exhibition area to 5,000 sq mt. This time around BIPEX 2006 is aiming to bring together a full spectrum of services required to make investing in real estate easy. Our aim is also to put the spotlight on development in the Kingdom and attract investors to Bahrain,' Mr. Al Alawi added.

Bahrain's perfect geographical location between Europe and Asia combined with proximity and easy access to vast emerging markets in Central and Western Asia and Africa gives Bahrain an upper hand as a convenient technology warehouse and supply centre for the region. Bahrain also boasts a very efficient business infrastructure backed with a favorable business strategy which allows 100% ownership of companies and industrial land.

Elaborating Mr. Mohammed Dhirar Al Shaer, Acting CEO, Bahrain Convention & Exhibition Authority (BCEA), said: 'As the financial capital of the Middle East, in recent times with the advent of multiple new projects, Bahrain is rapidly establishing itself as a haven for the Real Estate sector. BIPEX is among the leading exhibitions where buyers and sellers from around the globe meet to maximize on the available investment opportunities.'

Additionally, the Middle East region is host to a booming local and international real estate market. Estimates put the private liquidity in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries at a high US$2.3 trillion, of which US$1.5 trillion is in the GCC alone. Similarly, the market capitalization of listed real estate companies in the region totaled US$74,889 million in February 2006, accounting for approximately 6.7 per cent of the total market capitalization in the GCC. The region hosts a large number of high net-worth investors compiling real estate portfolios regionally and abroad.

BIPEX 2006 not just aims at optimally capitalizing on this opportunity but also at enticing investments from domestic as well as international investors to explore the vast opportunities and wide range of housing and commercial options in the Bahrain real estate industry. The exhibitions efforts in bringing investors and real estate developers under one roof is expected to generate favorable business to Bahrain.

Initiation of world -class projects like the Al Enma House, Riffa Views, Al Argan, Al Khaleej Development (TAMEER), Al Areen Desert Spa and Lulu Island to name some have broadened the horizon for international developers in this growing market.

BIPEX 2006 is supported by the Ministry of Industries & Commerce and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry and co-organizers for this edition of the exhibition include Kerala Engineers Forum (KEEN 4) and DSL Exhibitions.

The exhibition will be open all three days from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Admission is free for trade visitors and invited guests.