The construction boom in various Gulf countries, which will reach $9.2 billion this year, is expected to provide billions of dollars worth of business opportunities for interior design and furniture products, an industry expert said yesterday.

“In fact, interior design is no longer just about the art of decorating settings and bedrooms, but has evolved into an art, which also involves the science of utilising the space available at its best efficiency, and securing the productivity of those using its environment,” said Hilal Conferences and Exhibition (HCE) general manager Abdulla Shafeea.

He was speaking ahead of the gulfBID 2007 exhibition for construction, interiors and furniture, which organisers say has so far attracted major interior design companies as the perfect venue to generate business and communicate with potential clients.

Mr Shafeea said that deals worth millions of dollars had been signed during gulfBID last year, with more serious deals expected for the event this year.

The event will be held from May 15 to 17 under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.

It is designed to cater for the business-to-business requirements of the sector and serve the markets of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.

GulfBID has sold 70 per cent of its total available space to date, added organisers.

It has widened its portfolio to include the full spectrum of quality interiors and furniture, including contract furniture for hotels, offices and new facilities such as airports and hospitals, they said.

A major marketing campaign is also underway, involving the investment of more than $1.3 million regionally and internationally to raise awareness of the increasing importance of gulfBID, while highlighting the pivotal role being played by Bahrain as a regional gateway and trading hub.

GulfBID is a joint venture between DMG Media Group – the organisers of the Big 5 and Index shows in Dubai – and HCE.

“Studies and observations of the construction market have been conducted recently for countries in the northern part of the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait,” said Mr Shafeea.

“The skylines of these nations will be as crowded as Dubai’s, with construction imports to feed into the construction boom to reach $9.2bn this year.”

“The demand is expected to accelerate in the northern Gulf countries until it reaches maturity in about 12 to 15 years time.

“It is also expected to boost other industries, including the interiors and furniture sector, with higher and more efficient standards of interiors to be in demand for decades to come.

“In fact, more players find it feasible to invest in this industry for the upcoming markets of this specific region.”

The accelerating pace of building and construction in Bahrain, Qatar, the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is powering a project and infrastructure boom, he said.

“The mega developments taking shape are also creating massive demand for these fast-track projects and the supply of the fixtures, fittings and furnishings for these interiors, which are essential supply components to the construction industry,” said Mr Shafeea.

source : www.gulf-daily-news.com