More than 120 exhibitors and 3000 visitors from 50 countries are expected to take part in Power-Gen Middle East 2009.

The region’s premier exhibition for power and water will be held in Bahrain from February 17 to 19 next year.

The expo has received the patronage of Bahrain’s Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

It is also supported by the Electricity and Water Authority of Bahrain.

The expo is seen as the most important annual meeting place for international power and water executives for the Mena region.

Bahrain is the gateway to an energy hungry region that is also experiencing massive growth, seeing an average increase in demand for power at around 8 per cent, said a statement.

It is estimated that $120 billion will be invested in Middle East power and water projects over the next 10 years, with an estimated 8 per cent of all Arab investments going into the power business.

This year’s theme, ‘Keeping Pace with the Middle East’s Economic Expansion’, aims to discuss how the Middle East can plan and meet the power and water demands of the future.

“We are delighted to see the return of Power-Gen Middle East to Bahrain,’ said Adnan Fakhro, vice president of distribution and customer services, Electricity and Water Authority of Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service