A total of 10 Chinese companies took part in this year's gulfBID exhibition at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre at a dedicated China pavilion.

'We were contacted about taking part by the Chinese government trade fair company and we saw Bahrain and the Middle East ideal for business where people are currently investing in construction,' said Chuang Shi Company representative Silvia Mak.

'We are the sole agent and manufacturers of state certified specialist silicon environmentally-friendly sealants and we have been very impressed on our first visit to Bahrain.

'We attend a lot of trade shows across the world and this has been as good as any we have visited before.'

It was also the first time in Bahrain for the Atlantis Decoration and Building Material Company from Shandong province but the firm is already planning to return next year.

'This is a new market for us and it is one where we can offer new products across the region,' said general manager Owen.

'We have already made a lot of good contacts on the first day and expect this to get even better later on.

'The show is a very good platform to get established in the Middle East,' he said.

The Hangzhou Huahai Wood Industry Company also took advantage of government support to take part in gulfBID.

'This is a very good opportunity for us to expand out markets into one of the booming construction sector regions in the world,' said general manager Feily Zou.

'So far the show has been quite busy and we have made some tentative contacts that we will be following up on.

'We would certainly consider returning next year if these prove fruitful,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service