The Middle East will become the world’s second largest producer of flooring in as little as 15 years, surpassing Europe, according to Fibril, the UAE-based synthetic fibre, filament and non-woven production consultant.

“Regional flooring production and manufacturing has spiked in recent years due to the Gulf construction boom, resulting in a tremendous expansion of the industry,” said Masoud Mahmoudi, general manager, Fibril, one of the exhibitors at Domotex Middle East 2007, the region’s only specialised flooring and carpet exhibition.

According to Mahmoudi, the region’s strategic global position, low cost of labour and materials, and abundance of resources, will ultimately result in the Middle East assuming the position of a global flooring industry superpower, adding that Domotex Middle East provides the essential arena to help the industry achieve that goal.

“Our business at the show increased by 50 per cent this year and we quadrupled our 2007 stand size,” added Mahmoudi.

“We also plan on booking as soon as possible for 2008 as we have updated our knowledge of current industry trends and received an enormous amount of existing and potential clients from the across the region.”

Domotex Middle East 2007 is set to surpass last year’s record breaking debut. 

The visitor attendance in the first two days has been outstanding and has already exceeded last year’s total attendance according to show organisers, Deutsche Messe Dubai Branch.

“The increase in visitors and exhibitors from across the world during the first two days is a true reflection of the international importance of DOMOTEX Middle East.  This year, the whole show is on a grander scale, with many major announcements already made, and more expected on day three,” said Susanne Klaproth, director of the DOMOTEX Exhibitions internationally.

Exhibitors agree that the show has reached a high quality, international level.

“We have achieved that and more, as we now have a good understanding of the regional market, and have received nothing but high quality decision makers to our stand, with a positive outcome resulting from many,” said Jan van Dijk, sales manager, of the Dutch based Vifloor Non Wovens BV, producers of high level needle punched carpets.

“We are expecting more of the same on the final day, and are already considering returning to Domotex Middle East 2008,” said van Dijk.

Domotex Middle East 2007 featured 269 exhibitors from 37 countries, including first-time representation from Cyprus, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Norway and Poland. In addition to the country pavilions from Belgium, China, India and the USA, this year's show also welcomed the country pavilion debuts of Afghanistan, Austria, Germany and The Netherlands.

“You can expect to see the crème-de-la-crème of the flooring industry at DOMOTEX Middle East, from the largest collection of hand-made and machine-made carpets and area rugs, to cleaning and application technologies, adhesives, underlays and coatings,” said Angela Schaschen, managing director, Deutsche Messe Dubai Branch, the regional office of Deutsche Messe.

“With two consecutive successful shows now completed, we expect nothing less than another outstanding showing at next year’s DOMOTEX Middle East 2008, June 16 - 18.”

Domotex Middle East 2007 is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group.

The show has the official support of the UAE Contractors Association and the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) in the Gulf region.

Organised by Deutsche Messe, one of the foremost trade exhibition organisers with some 50 events worldwide, DOMOTEX is the internationally renowned name in floor covering exhibitions with shows in three of the most pertinent construction m