The upturn in the construction and property markets have convinced people across the industry that the three leading trade exhibitions for the construction, interiors and property sectors are the key to accessing more business in the year ahead.

Record numbers of exhibitors are taking part in this year's gulfBID and gulfInteriors exhibitions which opened at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday and were joined by the inaugural Gulf Property Show, the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Industry supplier Kavalani is making its second appearance at gulfBID and sees this year's show as a crucial event to take advantage of the upturn.

"We currently have a 60,000 square foot showroom in Sitra and are now building a new 130,000 square foot showroom in Hidd to add to our capacity," said sales director Prashant R Gandhi.

"Last year was a success for us and we see this as a very good way to interact with end users and customers and introduce new products without going round and visiting them individually.

"After two years of slowdown globally, things are picking up and we are seeing more projects here and people are more positive and we see this show as an opportunity to capitalise on these opportunities.

"We are looking to a lot of development in the housing sector backed by the government," he added.

Afifi Kitchens is another company that is looking to develop as the industry improves and believes that the exhibitions give it the opportunity to meet existing clients and build on its customer base, looking for products ranging from aluminium and wood to formica creations.

"We are looking to expand with one more branch in Bahrain and we are also looking to develop a manufacturing facility," said exhibition manager Maha Faraj.

"This is our first time at the gulfBID exhibition. I am new here and I want to know the people and have the people know about us and for that this is a very special event.

"There is a lot of business to be had but we need to work hard to achieve that and grow.

"The market here is looking positive." Falcon Trading, which supplies tools to the construction industry, is a first-time exhibitor expecting to pick up business from the show.

"This is our debut here but we plan to take part every year from now on," said managing director Yogesh N Bhatia.

"We started with the Gulf Industry Fair earlier this year and we are convinced that after that success the market is picking up.

"Last year we had a good year and we expect this year to be even better. There is a lot of construction going on," he added.

"We came here for the first time last year and we booked our stand for this year, a bigger stand, immediately at the end of the show," said Alfanar Investment Holding Company executive director Mishal Alsho'ala.

"We had a bigger than expected response and that created a lot of business for us last year and it was extremely useful.

"We trade in everything from building materials to lifts and building maintenance and represent a wide range of international brands.

"The market is on a growing path and we had a very strong 2012 followed by a very good first quarter this year.

"There are a number of projects in the pipeline which we are looking to participate in."

"Last year was a success," said Al Kobaisi group managing director Abdulla Esa Al Kobaisi.

"There are signs that things are improving since the downturn in the market three years ago.

"This is being supported by government investment and the GCC Marshal plan. We are looking at a boom in construction.

"We are keen to source housing projects which will also involve infrastructure like schools and hospitals and that will increase demand for building materials.

"The market size of the industry in Bahrain is such that it may be difficult for capacity and there is a danger that could lead to inflation in prices which could be a problem for developers," he added.

"This is our second time at this event in partnership with Bahrain Pipes which means we can offer anything from 16mm to four metres wide products," said Krah Bahrain general manager Hasan Al Saleh.

"The market is looking good and its getting better day by day and this is the event to access that market," he added-TradeArabia News Service