The UAE's import of kitchen and bathroom products will surge to over $30 billion by the end of the year amid growing demand for such items from a booming population enjoying a quality lifestyle, said experts.

The imports of these products across the GCC is poised for a double-digit growth of over 15 per cent, they stated.

There has been a steady demand for kitchen and bathroom products in the UAE with the market growing from $5.13 billion to $8.6 billion in 2010. Within two years, the total import volume of the kitchen and bathroom products has reached $14.62 billion in the emirates, according to the Bridge Live Communications, the organisers of the Kitchen & Bath Exhibition, to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, next year.

Regarded as the voice of the kitchen and bathroom industry of the Middle East, the expo will run from April 21 to 23 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The kitchen and bathroom sector has emerged as a key growth industry in the GCC, driven mainly by rising lifestyle standards, population growth, trend in buying innovative kitchen products and a burgeoning tourism industry, said the experts.

The sector is expected to experience even more growth as consumers in general continue to rapidly adopt innovative and exciting range of kitchen appliances, equipment, fittings and fixtures for their kitchen or bathroom, they added.

The GCC region on an average imports kitchen and bathroom products worth $162 billion and re-exports over 16 per cent, according to a new study.
 
The value of the interiors market in the region will increase by eight per cent in 2014 with the expected import of products worth $200 billion, said the latest GCC interior market intelligence report.

Commenting on the latest trends, Syed Razvi, the chief operating officer of Bridge Live Communications, said: "The double-digit annual growth for kitchen and bath market is mainly due to the rising demand for new convergence products and household appliances."

"Smart kitchen concepts are gaining momentum in the region, where gadgets are replacing the conventional cooking techniques focusing on saving space," he added.

According to him, the upcoming event will provide an unparalleled opportunity to the region's kitchen and bathroom industry professionals and corporates to meet, network and to do business under one roof.

It will showcase an exciting range of appliances, equipment, fittings and fixtures for kitchens and bathrooms; in addition to the latest technologies, inspiring designs and value-added solutions.

These include key accessories, appliances, building materials and maintenance systems, kitchen cabinets, countertops, flooring, hardware; in addition to showcasing the latest in kitchen and bath lighting and outdoor living and plumbing.

"The purpose of launching such an exhibition in Abu Dhabi is to facilitate the growth of the kitchen and bath industry in the region," said Razvi.

"Our vision is to be the only platform in the Middle East that will match investors, suppliers and consumers under one roof a platform for B2B and B2C meetings, and an opportunity for direct interactions, resulting in emerging new markets and close long-term deals," he noted.

"Our mission is to make Abu Dhabi the regional hub for the kitchen and bath market by 2015, by making the exhibition an annual event,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service