The exhibitors of the eighth Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Conference and Exhibition (Petrotech 2012) held in Manama have hailed the event as a success and paid tribute to Bahrain's business-friendly environment.

Saying the prestigious event had once again proved the credentials of Bahrain as a hub for hosting conferences and exhibitions, they affirmed they would continue to patronise the show.

A spokesman for Brazilian instrumentation and control automation systems manufacturer SMAR said despite the political crisis, Bahrain and the region remained attractive for business.

"I was not expecting such a large worldwide participation," he remarked.

An official of German company VINCI Energies said this was the first time they were at the show. "The show is very important to us," the official said.

Another German company, security devices' manufacturer Funke Huster's sales and marketing director Siegfried Steggemann said he was happy to be at the event. "Bahrain is a key meeting point," he added.

Bake Hughes' oil and gas business development manager Renato Palapal said though the events last year had affected Bahrain, it was not a "big dent".

"It was just an obstacle and we went through it," he said.

Indian engineering firm Pennant sales executive Ryan Fernandes also said things were not quite good in Bahrain a year ago but added such incidents happened everywhere.

"This does not affect businesses which have to carry on," he added.

A spokesman for US-based industrial gas manufacturer Praxair was also optimistic about future business prospects in Bahrain.

German-based pumps and valves manufacturer KSB Aktiengesellschaft senior business development manager Fred Bauernschmitt said Bahrain was a "very suitable" place for business despite last year's unrest.

"The problem is that the foreign media are reporting bad things about this country, which is not true. We all have to work towards Bahrain's stability," he added.-TradeArabia News Service