GCC healthcare and education interiors contracting and fit-out market worth more than $900m

The data are part of the latest findings from a new research by Ventures ME commissioned by Dmg :: events, the organising team behind the Index International Design Exhibition, the Middle East and North Africa's largest and longest established Interiors and Design Exhibition.

The 22nd annual edition of Index kicks-off, running Monday 24 September-Thursday 27 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Healthcare interiors and fit out
Qatar, with an investment of $192m, and Saudi Arabia, with investments worth $145m, have bagged the largest shares of the healthcare interiors contracting and fit-out segment in 2012, surging ahead of UAE and Oman investments of $119m and $13m, respectively.

As of September 2012, the growing market of Qatar is the emerging leader in terms of project completion, with total healthcare projects worth $2.4bn expected to witness completion by year end; representing a 40 % share of the total GCC medical projects expected for completion in 2012.

Following Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE healthcare projects expected to complete in 2012 are worth $1.8bn and $1.49bn respectively, ranking as second and third largest spenders of healthcare in the GCC with a 30 % and 25 % market share respectively. Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain account make up the balance with 3 %, 1 % and 1 %, respectively.

"The new data confirm that investments in the GCC interiors contracting and fit-out market remain healthy across various sectors," said Frederique Maurell, Index Event Director.

"Healthcare and education are of primary focus of investment in GCC countries, reflecting sustainable balanced economic development.
Index International Design Exhibition 2012 opens tomorrow and this year we have more exhibitors turning their focus toward the education and healthcare interiors sector than ever before in the 22 year history of the show. This is indicative of the growth and demand for this specialist fit-out across the region and provides an unrivalled opportunity for developers within these sectors to access the latest designs and trends from renowned interior designers and manufacturers from across the world," he added.

Education interiors and fit out
Saudi and Qatar also lead the in the education interiors contracting and fit-out sector with investments of $261m and $84m respectively, surging ahead of Kuwait and UAE with investments of $40m and $26m, respectively.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is ranked as the largest educational investor in GCC with educational developmental projects worth $3.26bn expecting completion in 2012.

Qatar is the second largest with educational developmental projects worth $1.05bn reaching completion in 2012. Kuwait ranks third in terms of educational project completion with total projects worth $503m, followed by UAE and Oman with projects worth $289m and $225m, respectively.

Bahrain has had a moderate amount of educational development projects worth $56m expecting completion in 2012.

More than 900 companies will be present at the 22nd annual Index International Design Exhibition with more than 45 countries will be represented at this year's show, including national pavilions from Japan and Canada, both exhibiting for the first time at the show.

Index 2012, themed 'Where Inspiration Thrives', will cover 34,000 sqm gross space of the Dubai World Trade Centre exhibition centre, occupying halls from 1 to 8 and Zabeel Hall.

Over 900 exhibitors from 45 countries - including Brazil, Canada, Greece, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, and UK - have booked floor space to showcase their products.

Index 2012 will replicate the successful and easy-to-walk-around product specific show structure that was introduced for last year's edition; plus four completely new sectors - Inspire, Surface & Finishes, Couture, and Furniture - have been added to the six already existing - Furnishings, Kitchen & Bathroom, Lighting, Outdoor Living, InRetail and Textiles - giving visitors an even more comprehensive and extensive offer.

Index is proud to announce the support of RAME Designer Solutions ME, the exclusive distributor of multinational brands of furnishing fabrics, leathers, lighting, curtain hardware and wall coverings to the interior design market, as Index Silver Sponsor.

During the four days of the exhibition, Index will also host a number of events and features, providing the design community with incredible networking and educational opportunities. The calendar of events includes:

Design Talks: Free to attend seminars where interiors designers and architects will share their knowledge and experience across four main topics: Trends, Innovation, Sustainability and Business.

The 4th Annual Contemporary Majlis Design Competition: Index 2012 will feature six shortlisted Majlis designs, selected among 100 projects submitted this year. This edition will see two winners, one selected by the jury of professionals and one by the visitors.

Les Collections Exclusives: A daily fashion show featuring couture collections realised by award winning Emirati designers DAS collection, the official creative partner and using some of the most exclusive interiors textile brands. The feature is sponsored by Beacon Hill, Bruno Triplet, Houlès Paris.

The Artist's Avenue: A dedicated section of the show where artists and galleries display their own creations.

Lighting Visione designed by SVEN|M: A special section of Index Lighting featuring iconic lighting products and innovations from the past, present and future. The feature will also be designed and curated by award winning design firm, SVEN | M.