Glass, Ceramics, Minerals and Mining 2002 (GCMM), which set a new visitor attendance record during its three-day run at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) recently, is to become a bi-annual event in response to industry demand.

Organisers International Expo-Consults (IEC) decided to hold the next show in 2004 at the DIEC after consulting with international industry associations in the glass, ceramics, minerals and mining industries.

"A show every two years is what the industry wants. Although Middle East markets are developing quickly a bi-annual show will fulfil the needs of the growing number of international and regional companies wishing to make the most of the opportunities opening up in the region," said Mohammed Falaknaz, vice chairman, IEC.

GCMM 2002, the only dedicated event for the Middle East's glass, ceramics, mining and minerals sectors, was held from January 27 to 29 and witnessed a 46.33 per cent rise in visitors compared with 2001.

Exhibitors came from 12 countries, with government- and industry-supported groups from Saudi Arabia, Italy, Canada and South Africa.

Although the highest number of visitors came from the UAE, there were significant numbers from neighbouring GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

The large number of participants from Iran, India, Egypt Yemen and Libya underlined the regional importance of the exhibition. There were also visitors from the Americas, Africa, Europe and Australasia.

GCMM, which, for the first time, included the minerals and mining sectors, was opened by Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, president of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), in the presence of Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwee, director general, DCCI, and Dr Massimo Sessa, Italian trade commissioner in Dubai.

GCMM saw both the Italian glass-processing machinery and accessories suppliers' association GIMAV and the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export - the national voice of Canada's mining industry - make their regional trade show debuts.

Meanwhile, the Pretoria-based Council for Geoscience (CGS), one of Africa's top geological organisations, used the show to develop links between the Middle East's burgeoning industrial sector and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) members.

There were a number of important announcements during GCMM including the unveiling of plans by Dubai's Al Choweifat Trading for a Dh 1.5 million 300 sq m marble and ceramics showroom.

Saudi Arabia's industrial minerals firm Hamad M Aldrees Company for Industry and Mining also revealed it was looking at opening an office in the UAE as part of its regional expansion plans.

"We see a huge market in the UAE. We already have clients here but we want to tap the full potential of the market for our range of minerals used in glass, ceramic, rubber, plastic and insulation products," said Mohammed Al Khayal, the company's general manager.

And India's Electro Magnetic Industries, manufacturers and suppliers of electro-magnetic separators and vibratory equipment, said it had taken orders worth $62,000 at GCMM, signalling the company's breakthrough into the GCC market.

"Though we have done business in a number of Middle East markets, specifically Iran, we have never dealt with the Gulf states. Thanks to the show we have managed to open that door," said R. B. Patel, a director of the company.

The Dubai Internet City-hosted portal, Businessdubai.com, operated by RC Holdings, took advantage of GCMM to promote its new online minerals section at the show. "It was the ideal opportunity to target potential buyers and sellers of minerals directly," said Dr A. K. Mathur, marketing director of the portal.

The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) also used the exhibition to increase awareness of their expertise and services and highlight developments in the Kingdom's mining and minerals sectors.

The quality of visitors won praise from exhibitors with many reporting strong interest in products and services from industry professionals.

"It was a good show," said Sathyadas P., assistant export officer, Gujarat Borosil Ltd. "We had enquiries from several regional countries, including Iran and Kuwait, and we expect most of them to turn into firm orders."

It was a similar story for New Merchants' International. Yash Mertia, sales executive with the UAE-based suppliers of glass manufacturing machinery said: "We have strong sales leads from Kuwait, Iran and Libya. Everyone we talked to understood our industry."