Gulf Industry Fair 2009,which runs for three days from January 13, has been administered a big boost by Bahrain’s oil and gas industry which has embarked on a major expansion that could radically change the kingdom’s energy sector.

Support has come from the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) through the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), announced the fair’s organisers Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE).
The development is significant as Noga, headed by Bahrain’s Oil and Gas Minister, Dr Abdul-Hussain bin Ali Mirza, is spearheading major exploration activities to boost the kingdom’s energy industry.
Under Dr Mirza’s directive Bapco has pledged to be a major energy sponsor  and exhibitor at the fair which will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIEC).
As well as Bapco, companies coming out in force at the Noga stand will be Bahrain National Gas Company (Banagas), Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), and the Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Company (Bafco).
The fair’s other key sponsors are First Leasing Bank of Bahrain; Baytik Industrial Oasis, which is a project of the Kuwait Finance House (KFH), and telecommunications giant Zain.
Commenting on Noga’s participation, Jubran Abdul Rahman, the managing director of HCE, says: “I’m delighted that Bahrain’s oil and gas   majors are showing their support for Gulf Industry Fair. The presence of Bapco, Banagas and GPIC – all under the Noga umbrella – shows that the fair has quickly and firmly established itself as an event of repute since its inaugural edition in January 2008.” 
The second Gulf Industry Fair, the only major industrial exhibition for the Northern Gulf, is set to surpass the success of the first edition, having grown in size over the 2008 event, according to HCE. The inaugural event, held over an area of 2,700 sq m (net), attracted close to 100 exhibitors from 19 countries across the world.
Alruqee Group, which was delighted by the maiden 2008 show, is the biggest exhibitor at the 2009 event and is turning up with a host of its principals from across the world to highlight their products and services in machine tools and engineering. Another major exhibitor is Pan Gulf Welding Solutions which will be showcasing its principals’ specialised range of welding and cutting products which are used across the spectrum of industry.
Bahrain’s Oilfield and Technical Supplies Centre (OTSC) was so impressed by the market response at the 2008 event, that it has increased its space from 112 to 203 sq m.
The 2009 fair has also attracted several new participants. They include Tamkeen (the new identity for the Labour Fund of Bahrain), and Saudi Arabia’s instrumentation expert Ashcroft Al Rushaid Instrument.
Gulf Industry Fair features 10 specialised segments: Gulf Aluminium, Gulf Metal, Gulf Machine Tools, Gulf Industrial Equipment, Gulf Energy, Gulf Metrology, Gulf Logistics, Gulf Automation, Gulf Manufacturing, and Industrial Areas and Free Zones.
In addition to its key sponsors, Gulf Industry Fair enjoys the support of Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain Exhibitions and Conventions Authority, Junior Chamber International (JCI), Russian-Arab Business Council, Jella Jella of the Netherlands and British Offset of the UK.