A five-day exhibition, Ifex 2002, designed to serve the interior and furniture industry of GCC states, will kick off on February 17, 2002, organisers General Exhibitions Corporation (GEC) said.

The expo, at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibitions Centre, was described as one of the most important specialised exhibitions to be held in the UAE. Ifex was planned to feature five distinct categories of products and services namely classical, traditional and contemporary home furniture, office furniture, outdoor furniture and kitchen and bathroom items.

"As with all exhibitions organised by GEC, Ifex's main objective is to be a meeting point for national and regional investors, interior decorators, designers and architects to interact with regional and international furniture manufacturers and suppliers so as to give them instant access to local and regional markets," a company statement said.

It said Ifex would enable trade visitors to plan their furniture procurement at an early point of the year, GEC said, adding that another factor facilitating participation by overseas visitors would be the cool and pleasant weather occurring at that time. There was significance in the choice of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital. "New cities, projects and free zones under development have led to a high demand for quality interior products and furniture. Today Abu Dhabi represents a serious business platform that is far from saturation."

GEC said Ifex seemed destined to be a popular and regular event going by furniture market statistics. Total imports of furniture and furnishings to the GCC during 1998 were valued at Dh6.3 billion ($1.71 billion).