Domotex Middle East will showcase the region's biggest collection of carpets and floor coverings in May.

The event's third edition will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 25-27.

The comprehensive exhibition seeks to take advantage of a significant growth of the Middle East market, which is greatly influenced by the region's massive real estate boom.

According to recent statistics, up to 5 million residential units are under construction in the GCC, including more than 1,400 new high-profile developments collectively valued at over $697 billion.

Deutsche Messe, the organiser of the annual Domotex Middle East exhibition, has revealed that a huge and diverse audience of retail and wholesale buyers, interior designers, architects, property developers, manufacturers, floor fitters and trade specialists is expected to attend. The organising group also announced that over 90 per cent of the exhibition area has been sold out and they are now on course to achieve a record turnout.

"Domotex Middle East has achieved exceptional growth over the years and we are pleased that this highly specialised event has evolved into a major contributor to the industry's development. The region's demand for top-quality carpets and floor coverings has increased tremendously as a result of widespread property development activities across the industrial, commercial and residential segments," said Angela Schaschen, managing director, Deutsche Messe Dubai branch.

"This trend has underscored the critical importance of a comprehensive networking platform that will promote high standards in quality and service in this burgeoning industry. Domotex Middle East has been developed to address this emerging requirement, helping industry players identify new high-growth areas and open new business opportunities across different sectors," added Schaschen.

The event's mother show in Germany, Domotex Hannover, was successfully held in January this year and again set new records with exhibitors from over 60 different countries appearing at the global showcase for carpets, textile and resilient floor coverings plus laminate and parquet flooring. The event set new standards for the sheer size of its display area, which covered a total of 97,083 square meters, up from 91,757 square meters in 2007, while trade visitors increased to over 47,000 from 80 different countries compared to 43,538 in 2007.

The exhibition sensationally highlighted current and future trends, featuring new materials and creative designs, including the latest colours and patterns, key factors that enabled Domotex Hannover to surpass all expectations and erase previous record highs.

Domotex Middle East 2008 will present a complete line-up of handmade and machine-made carpets; textile and resilient floor coverings; parquet and wooden flooring; laminates; sports arena flooring; fibres, yarns and textiles; cleaning and application technologies; ceramic tiles; and natural stone and marble floorings.

The exhibition and trade fair is targeted at wholesalers and retailers of floor coverings, decision makers in the contracting business, planners, architects, interior designers, construction companies, project planners, floor fitters and other skilled workers from the sector. – TradeArabia News Service