More than 140 exhibitors are set to take part in the next month's gulfBID 2009 exhibition in Bahrain.

The leading exhibition and the most comprehensive and effective sourcing opportunity for the construction and interiors industry in the Northern Gulf is held under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The show, which runs from May 5 to 7 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), is organised by Al Hilal Group and dmg world media Dubai.

Now in its fourth year and firmly imprinted on the Northern Gulf exhibition calendar, gulfBID brings the leading suppliers, brands, equipment and services face to face with clients and buyers for both of these vital sectors.

Despite the current downturn, gulfBID is strategically placed in the central hub of the still-buoyant markets of the Northern Gulf - Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait - providing the perfect setting for exhibitors of construction and interiors products to continue to do business in a market where there is still a high demand.

'Whilst we acknowledge that there has, of course, been a slight downturn in the current climate, we are happy to be able to report that the pace of construction projects announced in the Northern Gulf still seems to be outstripping the rest of the world,' said Al Hilal Group exhibitions director Kim Willis.

'This in turn still sets the demand for the interiors products and services needed for both commercial and residential fit outs,' she said.

gulfBID is seen as a fundamental platform for companies to boost annual sales, giving a high level of visibility for those companies based in the region, and providing opportunities for business in the region for those international companies that will be present for the show.

More than 140 companies from 20 countries have confirmed their presence so far, and the show will feature national pavilions representing Germany, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and China.

More than 5,000 visitors attended the event last year, with a large percentage of these coming from Saudi Arabia.

Similar numbers are expected this year.

Architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, buyers, specifiers, designers, agents and distributors will all have the opportunity to visit this event.

gulfBID 2009 is a joint venture between Bahrain's Al Hilal Group, one of the region's most prominent publishing houses, and dmg world media Dubai, the organiser of the Big 5 and Index exhibitions in Dubai, servicing the construction and interiors industries respectively.-TradeArabia News Service