The Gulf Industry Fair has become a successful Bahraini brand and the event organiser, Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), feels confident of expanding it beyond the shores of the country.

The Gulf Industry Fair is now a highly-acclaimed trade exhibition in GCC that covers key industrial segments including aluminium, steel, alloys, metal, automation, metrology, energy, logistics, manufacturing and industrial security and safety, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"We would like this particular exhibition to grow to a certain size and then we can obviously look at opportunities of taking it on the road to neighbouring countries," HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said.

"It's definitely on the agenda and in another three years we can probably look at that," he added.

Abdulrahman was speaking at the seventh Gulf Industry Fair that was inaugurated yesterday by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Abdulrahman extended thanks and appreciation to the Premier for lending his support to the fair and industrial activity.

"Organising the event for the last seven years, we have seen the industrial development of the kingdom and the region, and the government continues to empower and support business," he said.

"Billions of dollars have been pumped to enhance the capabilities of the private industrial sector and modernise the infrastructure," he added.

"After almost a year of meticulous planning, the doors have now opened and the sense of energy and anticipation is palpable as we look to offer the ultimate business-enabler for the Northern Gulf's industrial sector," remarked Abdulrahman.

"We look forward to three days of networking and deal making among exhibitors and visitors," he added.

The HCE's top official said the fair had seen a record number of more than 3,000 trade and industry visitors last year. "We expect the number to go up by 15-20 per cent this year," he added.

Abdulrahman said the show had attracted more overseas participants this year. Several European exhibitors including Belgium's Agema, Czechoslovakian firms Arkon Flow Systems, Envi-Pur and Kralovopolska Slevarna are making their debut, thus boosting the event's international profile.

"In addition to showcasing the best of Bahrain, from small and medium enterprises to industrial giants, we are delighted that the fair has attracted leading overseas names such as Modon, Saudi Bitumen Industries (Sabit), and Dubai Cable Company (Ducab)," HCE exhibitions director Ahmed Suleiman said.

"Modon, the Saudi Industrial Property Authority, is responsible for developing and supervising industrial lands in the country, while Sabit is one of the largest manufacturers of bitumen and waterproofing products," he noted.

"Also this year, we have Ducab, one of the leading producers of cables in the Middle East," said Suleiman.

"The Dutch pavilion too has three newcomers - Allpacks International, MH Hydraulics and The Grab Specialists - who join HD Demolition, Gutteling Composite Hoses, Vanex, Bell Dredging Pumps, Hydrapro Trading & Services, BOA Recyling Equipment, and DP2offshore in flying the Dutch flag," stated Suleiman.

"All in all, we have twice as many overseas exhibitors over last year's edition," he added.

Another European debutant is Belgium's Agema, which manufactures industrial electrification and cable management systems for lifting and handling equipment.

Also from Europe are Czechoslovakian firms Arkon Flow Systems, Envi-Pur and Kralovopolska Slevarna, all of whom have partnered with Bahrain's High Mark Trading in their regional business push. Other major overseas names at the event include Saudi Arabia's Alaa for Industry and British Offset, said Suleiman.

Gulf Industry Fair 2014 will be open until tomorrow from 9am to 7pm.-TradeArabia News Service