Gulf Industry Fair (GIF), the only comprehensive industry-related expo in the Northern Gulf, will now be held for three days from February 8 following a schedule revision, organisers Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) announced.

It was earlier scheduled for January 18 to 20.

The event, to take place at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in conjunction with the Gulf Industry Forum, is traditionally held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain.

“The decision to hold our events in February as opposed to the traditional January timing has been arrived at after careful consideration and consultation with key exhibitors and other regional event organisers.” said HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman.

“January is a busy calendar month for industry in the GCC region and hopefully the decision to hold our exhibition in February now will mean that exhibitors can not only take advantage of the huge opportunities that GIF offers in the market, but may also be able to attend other regional conferences and events,” Abdulrahman added.

“It is essential as exhibition organisers that we recognise not only the huge business potential for exhibitors of our own geographical location, but are able to see the larger market as a whole, and take decisions based on the overall business needs of our clients.

“In addition, now that the show enters its fourth year, increased interest from international participants has meant that pushing the show dates back also gives them more time to prepare for the events after the 2010 festive season. We feel that our decision will achieve that and allow the best possible advantages overall to our loyal exhibitor base.”

Gulf Industry Fair 2011 will see industrial giants from the Gulf and further afield once again gather at the BIEC.

The expo will feature the key industrial segments of aluminium, machine tools, industrial equipment, manufacturing, auto- mation, steel, energy, logistics and ports and free zones.

Scene at the 2010 edition of the fair

The organisers said GIF had experienced a 25 per cent rise in space bookings when compared with the same time last year, with very positive feedback received so far, particularly from companies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia looking to take advantage of the myriad opportunities offered in a region poised for remarkable industrial development over the next decade.

2011 poised to eclipse 2010
Abdulrahman said: “Current indications suggest that the 2011 show will eclipse the 2010 one in terms of booked space. Gulf Industry Fair benefits from its close proximity to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, the home of world-class hydrocarbons-based industries, petrochemical complexes, refineries, iron and steel manufacturing facilities and associated downstream industries and the focus of a massive investment surge over the next few years.”

He pointed out that this was a big opportunity for regional and international exhibitors aiming to raise their profile in Saudi Arabia.

“The fair also benefits from government efforts to promote Bahrain as an industrial centre, through projects such as the Salman Industrial City development which is attracting considerable inward investment in the kingdom,” he added.

Already confirmed as a GIF 2011 Strategic Aluminium Partner for the second successive year is Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters, and more industrial leaders are set to follow suit.

Running alongside GIF 2011 will be the second Gulf Industry Forum, to be held at the BIEC Conference Suite featuring high-calibre speakers from across the industrial spectrum.