Bahrain is gearing up to go floral again with preparations underway for the seventh Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) taking place in February next year.

The event is held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and Patron of the Bahrain Garden Club and supported by his wife and chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women, Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

The three-day show is scheduled from February 26 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre and will showcase the latest trends and technology in gardening and landscaping.

"BIGS is focused on creating business opportunities for local and international exhibitors to bolster trade between Bahrain and the world, and on raising awareness about the environment among the general public," said organising committee head Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa.

"It is an event that has broad appeal that relates to all demographics."

Albayan Media Group managing director Abdul Hamid Al Asfoor said marketing efforts were underway and the company had contacted more than 1,000 exhibitors from different parts of the world to participate in the event.

He said Municipalities and Agriculture minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi would be sending invitations to the GCC and other countries.

"The company's in-house marketing team has visited numerous events with the same profile and has directly contacted various potential exhibitors," said Al Asfoor.

"The event aims to increase international participation by 40 per cent over the next three years.

"Bahrain is the ideal host for such an event as it has a state-of-the-art exhibition centre that is well-equipped and is commercially accessible from any part of the world.

"Studies show that Bahrain is the second freest economy in the Arab world and therefore can easily become a regional hub for global business conglomerates."

The event has a proven track record of nearly 22,000 visitors and the next edition anticipates a 50 per cent increase.

BIGS offers prospects for exhibitors to promote their world-class products and services to VIPs, architects, consultants, developers, industry professionals as well as the general public.-TradeArabia News Service