A Gamut of industries will be represented at the Gulf Industry Fair (GIF), being held this month in Bahrain, as local, regional and international manufacturers, retailers and stockists showcase their recent launches and get involved in high-pitched networking.

The Northern Gulf’s leading annual industrial expo takes place from February 7 to 9 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain.

Leading the Aluminium Zone will be Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), which will reflect both the upstream and downstream growth of the aluminium sector in the GCC.

“Gulf Industry Fair has established itself as the leading platform in the GCC to promote this region’s aluminium industry whilst also reflecting the growth of Bahrain’s growing economy,” said Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors.

Alba, which is the strategic sponsor for the aluminium sector at the Fair, has shown excellent progress with its Line 6 Expansion Project. In October 2016, it announced the successful closing of a syndicated term-loan facility, the first tranche of the company’s funding plan for the project. Alba has also embarked on Project Titan – Phase II cost saving programme that aims to reduce cash-cost by $100 per mt of aluminium and step-up its production capacity to 1,000,000 mt per annum by end of 2017.

Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors

The other Bahrain-based companies joining Alba at the Aluminium Zone include Midal Cables, which manufactures their products from the aluminium smelter in Bahrain; Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco), whose production capacity exceeds 33,000 metric tonnes and Ameeri Industries who’s Amgard Street light poles are manufactured from aluminium produced at Alba.

“The aluminium sector is the key industrial growth driver in the region. The Aluminum Zone promotes Bahrain as a leading global exporter of downstream aluminium products (Made in Bahrain) and services for aluminum smelters within the region “says, Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), organisers of the show.

Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), too, renewed its status as a strategic sponsor of the annual event and willwill continue to emphasise on the energy and environmental protection sectors at the event.

“We are honoured to have Bapco and Noga, Bahrain’s leading energy provider and environmental protection advocate, to support Gulf Industry Fair 2017. Their joint involvement is a major statement on the serious approach that they have taken to invest in Bahrain’s industrial development and achievement of stronger national economy,” said Abdulrahman.

Majaal Warehouse Company, a major operator of industrial facilities in Bahrain, will lead the industrial facilities sector, while the UAE-based Naffco, a leading producer and supplier of property and life safety solutions, has signed up as the fire and safety sector sponsor.

Supporting organisations for GIF 2017 include AHK Saudi Arabia, India’s PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the German Saudi Arabian Liaison for Economic Affairs, the Saudi British Economic Offset Programme and Bahrain Industrial Association.

HOSTS TWO FORUMS

This year, the GCC’s industrial B2B showcase, breaks new ground by hosting two major forums that will highlight Bahrain’s key role as a conduit for industrialisation in the GCC.   

The Fair will host Bahrain’s first India Business Partnership Summit (SEE BOX) on February 7 at 2 pm and the Bahrain Industrial Association (BIA) and GIF will present the “GIF Dialogue: Future of Industry in the GCC” at 10 am on February 8.

The India Business Partnership Summit will be led by senior vice president of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anil Khaitan, who will bring a delegation of 30 businesses and entrepreneurs for the Gulf Industry Fair.

Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of HCE (left) and Nawaf Al Ghanem, corporate communications manager of Bapco at the signing ceremony

The summit will explore potential investment opportunities between India, Bahrain and the GCC, with the intent to further trade relations. Bilateral trade between Bahrain and India is already worth more than $1 billion.

“The summit brought to us by PHD will play a practical role in Bahrain’s plans towards attracting foreign companies to take advantages of the kingdom’s strategic location for the Northern Gulf,” said Abdulrahman. 

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s delegation of companies will also be exhibiting under the umbrella of GIF’s Indian Pavilion. The companies, some of whom are new to the GCC market, include: Packraft Container India, Elektromag Devices, Maxmech Equipments, Swastik Furnaces, Green Planet Technologies and Satya Group. 

The “GIF Dialogue: Future of Industry in the GCC” will presents a roundtable discussion, for Bahrain’s industrial leaders to discuss policy and initiatives to encourage industrial development.

FIRMS QUEUING UP

Solar One, a specialist in the manufacture of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, will introduce its `Made in Bahrain’ products at the Fair. Located in Askar area of Bahrain, its manufacturing facility has the capacity to manufacture up to 60,000 panels per year which can generate 15,000 MW of power, said a top official.

“Gulf Industry Fair presents industrial capabilities and innovative ‘Made in Bahrain’ products,” remarked Rami Khalifeh, the managing director of Solar One.

Eng Khalid Al Khatib - founder and CEO of Naffco

Abdulrahman said: “Bahrain’s vision is to deliver 10 per cent of our national energy consumption from renewable energies. The energy sector at Gulf Industry Fair, which is supported by the National Oil and Gas Authority, is promoting this vision through practical solutions such as that offered by Solar One.”

“As a Bahraini company we at HCE are particularly proud to have Solar One introduce solar solutions that are exclusively ‘Made in Bahrain’,” he stated.

Ameeri Industries, a leading player in the manufacturing, electrical contracting and trading services, is also set to showcase its portfolio of innovative ‘Made in Bahrain’ products.

Ameeri Industries has two manufacturing plants, the largest electrical manufacturing plant located in BIIP operating under the brand Ametech which is a channel panel builder partner of ABB and exclusive partners of Himel.

It is also the exclusive manufacturer of the Amgard brand in Bahrain. The brand is well known for its tough road crash barriers and street light poles, alongside a variety of other products in the
pipe line.

Adel Ameeri, the chairman of Ameeri Industries, said: “Gulf Industry Fair has been a great platform for business to reconnect and showcase advanced industrial products throughout the region and Bahrain. Ameeri will be using this platform to showcase some new exciting products recently launched and tested under the Ametech and Amgard brands.”

Ameeri, he stated, will be launching the new solar energy system solution under the Ametech brand.

“The diversification of Bahrain’s economy requires the development of a strong manufacturing base. Companies such as Ameeri are leading by example,” remarked Abdulrahman.

NAFFCO SIGNS UP

A global leader in fire safety and security industries, Naffco which has recently set up its base in Bahrain, said Gulf Industry Fair was an important platform to showcase its credentials as the supplier of first choice for all types of safety and fire protection systems.

Ameeri Industries at a previous Gulf Industry Fair show

Naffco’s fire safety and solutions are compliant to the requirements of certifying bodies, local and national government standards and international safety organisations like NFPA, said a statement from HCE.

Khalid Al Khatib, the founder and chief executive of Naffco, believes that success doesn’t come as a
coincidence.

“Naffco’s vision is to become the world’s number one provider of innovative solutions in protecting life, environment and property. In order to successfully achieve the vision we have been supported by the hard work and dedication from all the company’s employees’ team members,” remarked Al Khatib.

Naffco Bahrain will showcase among others the innovative products and services as a source of all types of fire protection systems. It is part of several prestigious projects in Bahrain such as the Al Manar House project in Seef; King Hamad Hospital; and the Mondalez Biscuit Factory plant in Hidd.

Abdulrahman said: “Naffco’s leadership at Gulf Industry Fair, shows that products ‘manufactured in the GCC’ do provide first-class fire and safety protection exportable to the global market.”

Universal Electro-Engineering (Uneeco), the leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic communications and safety equipment in Bahrain, will be taking part in the Fair. It is currently Bahrain’s representative of international brands such as Schneider Electric, The Saudi Transformers, Al-Ahleia Switchgear, Raychem, Socomec, Stahl, Cembre, El Measure, Eaton, L&T Switchgear, Rishabh, Danfoss, Fuji Electric and Sharp.

Group COO Jayshankar said: “At Gulf Industry Fair 2017 we will be displaying our exclusive range of electronic security and communication solutions by demonstrating the business and technology advantages of each system.”

Some of the other Bahrain-based companies exhibiting at Gulf Industry Fair include Midal Cables, Tebodin Middle East-Bahrain, Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco), Bahrain Industrial Filters Manufacture, First Bahrain / Maajal, Intercare, Eastern Asphalt & Mixed Concretem, Bahrain Development Bank, NAFFCO, Baytik Industrial Oasis, Almoayyed International Group and Bahrain Technical Supplies Center.

The list also includes the following names: Ashcroft Al Rushaid Instrument Co, Dresser Al Rushaid, Middle East Specialized Cables (MESC), Gulf Markets International, Cleantec, British Offset, Ameeri Industries, Teams (Bahrain), National Academy for Professional Training, Box Makers, Hydrapro Trading & Services Co, Jotun Bahrain, Middle East Specialized Cables (MESC), Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), Tazur Insurance Company, BRC Weldmesh, Gulf Tissues, Anwar Al Karrar, Aluminium Bahrain, Al Haddad Commercial Center, Zarwan Fiberglass Factory, Ramez Industrial Group, EMESCO, Ray International – Bahrain, Warehousing Projects & Logistics (WPL), Clark Industries, Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment, Universal Laboratories to name a few.