Promising market lures the best in the business

The second editition of the annual Gulf International Industry Fair (GIIF) held last January at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Manama brought together key players serving the needs of major manufacturing businesses in the region. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and organised by Hilal Conference and Exhibitions division, the show recorded over 3,330 regional and international visitors, representing a 53% increase from the first event in 2008. These visitors gathered to look at the products of 125 exhibitors from 25 countries across Europe, the United States, the Gulf Region, China and India. Bahrain''s National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga), which is headed by Bahrain''s Oil and Gas Minister Dr Abdul - Hussain bin Ali Mirza, was present at the exhibition along with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the fair''s major energy sponsor. The fair''s other key sponsors were First Leasing Bank of Bahrain; Baytik Industrial Oasis, which is a project of the Kuwait Finance House (KFH); and telecommunications giant Zain. The chairman of the Bahrain Chambers of Commerce and Industry Esam Fakro said the presence of 125 exhibitors clearly illustrated that there is no standstill or crisis in the kingdom. "Nobody says there would not be any effect. Some sectors would be hit, but others will thrive. At the most we may suffer from a lower growth rate of between three to five percent," he commented. "My advice to individual companies is to concentrate on productive sectors and stay away from speculative investments. Competitiveness is the name of the game and to win one has to stay ahead of the competition," he said. GIIF is the only specialised industry exhibition in the Northern Gulf, only 45 - minute drive away from the region''s industrial powerhouse: Saudi Arabia. Such advantage gave attendees a unique opportunity for business and trade in this dynamic MENA region. Market data analysts, Proleads, placed the current value of projects underway in the MENA region at over US$4.4 trillion. While the GCC has become one of the most robust economic blocs in the world with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $735 billion which by 2050 could close the gap with G - 7 economies, according to Bahrain''s Economic Development Board (EDB). Bigger and better exhibits from 10 sectors This year, the fair expanded its number of specialised sectors from eight to 10 to include: Gulf Aluminium, Gulf Metal, Gulf Machine Tools, Gulf Industrial Equipment, Gulf Energy, Gulf Metrology, Gulf Logistics, Gulf Automation, Gulf Manufacturing, and Industrial Areas and Free Zones. The Alruqee Group was once again the biggest exhibitor at this year''s event, with four of its companies showing off an array of industrial machinery and tools from 23 principals over an area of 465 sqm, while Pan Gulf Welding Solutions showcased its specialised range of welding and cutting products. Saudi Arabia - based Alruqee Group feels the downturn has affected only sectors like the real estate and steel. "We deal with products from the industrial sector, which would be the last sector to be affected," said Alruqee Group executive director Saad Alikhan. "BAYTIK Industrial Oasis'' Sponsorship of GIIF is in line with our endeavour to support initiatives that work towards the development of our economy and the kingdom" said Osama Al Khaja, chairman of BIO and head of project development - Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain This year, Bahrain''s Oilfield and Technical Supplies Centre (OTSC) has taken up more floor space. Last year the company did good business at the fair, selling a $1.33 million plasma - cutting machineADIDAS