Bahrain plans to build new exhibition venues as the number of events related to the industry has more than tripled in the last year and is set to expand further, a senior government official said.

This is thanks to the booming hospitality and tourism sector, said Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro.

"The number of functions have more than tripled over the last year or so," he said.

"If anything we are short of space to hold exhibitions and seminars."

Dr Fakhro said Bahrain planned to build new exhibition venues, but that it would take time.

He was speaking at the opening of the three-day International Hospitality Furniture Expo (IHFEX) at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

Diplomats, businessmen and government officials attended the event, including Pakistan Ambassador Iftikhar Hussain Kazmi and Customs, Seaports and Duty Free Zones president Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Billed as the Middle East's only dedicated furniture contract manufacturing exhibition, the event features 22 leading furniture makers and interior fit-out specialists from Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Lebanon.

They are targeting the fit-out of hotels, service apartments, commercial projects, cruise liners and other hospitality projects.

Among the products being showcased are furniture pieces, accessories, bedding and bathroom amenities, closets, woodworks, fabrics, carpets, tile and flooring coverings, lightings and fixtures.

"This exhibition carriers a lot of importance for Bahrain from the government and the Industry and Commerce Ministry," Dr Fakhro said.

"We hope Bahrain will be a gateway for this type of event and we trust that it will look forward to importing such import industries related to furniture and hospitality.

"Bahrain continues to grow in that respect and we hope the furniture industry will expand.The country now has an ever increasing role in exhibitions and seminars.

"Our calendar is full for the next three years and we will expand it.

IHFEX will run from 10am to 5pm today and from 10am to 3pm tomorrow.

The event is organised by Singapore-based MP Congress and Exhibitions and International Furniture Fair Singapore.

It is endorsed by the Industry and Commerce Ministry and supported by the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA) and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC). TradeArabia News Service