Curtains are set to rise on three of Bahrain's leading industry-shaping exhibitions - gulfBID, gulfInteriors and the first-ever Gulf Property Show (GPS).

Being held from Tuesday to Thursday at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the concurrent events are an unrivalled platform boasting more than 188 exhibitors this time around, further boosting the market's confidence to stimulate investment, organisers Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE) said.

The Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, caught up with HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman to get an insight into one of the most eagerly-anticipated gatherings in the Northern Gulf's trade show calendar.

"Our focus clearly is on providing exhibitors with high return on investment through direct business opportunities with decision-makers," said Abdulrahman.

"The industry endorses this and the evidence is in the numbers - gulfBID this year has 96 exhibitors as compared to 81 last year, gulfInteriors has grown to 73 from 59 and the inaugural GPS features 19 companies," he stated.

"We got an overwhelming response for the property show and the extent of the exhibition is limited by the space available... We have had to improvise and you will witness some innovations in design and display.

"In terms of meter-age, gulfBID has grown by 30 per cent to 3,980 sq m, gulfInteriors by 60 per cent to 3,031 sqm and the Gulf Property Show is 587.25 sqm. The total meter-age for all three shows is 7,598.25 sqm.

"Another highlight is that this year we will see 33 countries represented through their products and participating companies.

"Yet another stamp of approval comes from the numbers of returning exhibitors from last year. gulfBID 2013 has 30 returning exhibitors whereas gulfInteriors has 26.

"The fact that exhibition space is sold out is testament to both the market demand for specialist, professionally-organised business-to-business trade exhibitions, as well as the improved business sentiment in the region.

"Our ability to consistently deliver high-calibre trade shows would, however, not be possible without the valued support of our generous sponsors, not least the government of Bahrain, to whom we owe a great deal of gratitude.

"The government's efforts in supporting the construction, real estate and infrastructure sectors need to be supplemented by the private sector and we would like to be enablers in that.

"Credit for empowering Bahrain's industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, must go to Tamkeen, whose Tarweej Programme subsidises 80 per cent of the exhibiting costs of participants at the exhibitions.

"We hope that the industry carries the strong momentum that will be generated through the event to drive accelerated growth."

According to Abdulrahman, the exhibitions will continue to see a convergence of "market leaders from the specialist construction, contracting and related sectors, demonstrating their brands, equipment and services to discerning visitors, who include key decision-makers, project buyers and other senior executives."

"Every year we look to raise the standard of the shows we organise. Given the sheer quality and quantity of exhibitors this year we are confident of exceeding all expectations, and look forward to reporting many deals being signed and products being launched," said the top HCE official.

"We would like to believe that as we hone our expertise, infrastructure and facilities. We are empowering Bahrainis in staging of mega-shows, exhibitions, trade fairs and congresses.

"The ultimate aim is to strengthen Bahrain's position as a business and trading hub of the region, and raise the contribution of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions to the national economy," he said.-TradeArabia News Service