Visitors to the fourth edition of Gulf Industry Fair (GIF), leader of business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions in the Northern Gulf, were treated to a comprehensive showcase of goods, services and capabilities by more than 100 exhibitors from 16 countries.

Rare for the whole of the Gulf, the event focused on a wide sweep of sectors including aluminium, machine tools, industrial equipment, manufacturing, automation, steel, energy, logistics and ports and free zones and training and education.

When the curtain came down at the end of the three-day expo organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), exhibitors voted it the best yet since the inaugural edition in 2008. Gulf Industry Fair had a record turnout of visitors among all editions with many exhibitors planning to sign up for 2012.

GIF got off to a good start. A deal worth up to $1 million was signed on the first morning, actually before visitors began arriving.

Nanopool Middle East won a contract to supply its revolutionary liquid glass product with Bahrain-based Abdulla Khamees Mirror and Tempered Glass Factory. Nanopool, a German company, is represented in Bahrain by Universe Projects.

“This product is used to coat glass in a manner that means the glass will resist dust and dirt and can avoid the need to be cleaned for up to a year,” said Universe Projects senior project manager Jurgen Ziebell.

“This is our first visit to Gulf Industry Fair but we saw this as an excellent opportunity to promote this unique application and the show has already proved a success for us,” Ziebell said.

GIF 2011 was opened by Bahrain’s Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who expressed his delight at the event which, he said showcased the best of Bahrain’s industrial prowess while also attracting key players from the region and beyond. It enjoyed high-level strategic support from Bahrain’s National Oil & Gas Authority (Noga) in association with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco); Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters; Majaal, a small and medium enterprises-focused warehousing and logistics development; British Offset Office and the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry).

HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said: “Having the support of the highest echelons of the government is of immense value to Gulf Industry Fair.”  He said this year’s show was 10 per cent bigger than the 2010 edition in terms of exhibitor numbers and floor area.

The Bahrain Logistics Zone stall

There were accolades as exhibitors and visitors settled into the warm and encouraging atmosphere of the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Back with five stalls
Al Kuwaiti industrial solutions company decided to dip its toe in the water at GIF last year and took a stand for the first time. They were so successful that this year the company took five stands to cover its wide range of products and services.

Its operations general manager Khalil Omar Al Omar said on the morning of the last day:  “The show has been very good so far but we are looking forward to a lot of interest later today when most of the Saudi Arabian companies we are looking at are likely to attend.”

He added: “Last year was a good year for us but this has been even better and the organisation has been excellent. We will certainly be coming back next year because this is a key event for us to showcase our wide range.”

Alaa Industrial Equipment Factory, which has just opened a new facility for its Bahrain operations covering 14,000 sq m, has been taking part in GIF since it began.

“We are based in Dammam in Saudi Arabia but we have 16 facilities across the region and we see this event as key to connecting with important customers,” said group marketing manager Ziad Khader.

“We have a wide range of industrial products and services, so we are targeting every sector. The show has been very good but then we have been successful here every year,” he added.

Turk Mechanical Industries enjoyed its fourth visit to GIF.  “It has been a very good show this year,” said IT in-charge J Jeganmogaan.  “We are service-oriented and we came here to get good exposure. Frankly speaking, we do not expect to pick up business during the event but it allows us to develop contacts for the future,” said the official.

The company produces everything from heavy and light fabrication to castings. It provides industry with products that can cost anything from $21 to $4 million.

Bahrain-based contracting, construction, building materials and real estate company Sayed Kadhem Al Durazi and Sons was making its debut but has already decided it will be returning.

“We are a growing group and we came here to learn more about the market because this event is a good place to do that,” said business development manager R Naresh Kumar.

‘Absolutely pleased’
“It has proved an excellent platform for us. We are absolutely pleased and we would like to come back again and again,” he added.

The sheer size of this year’s edition impressed exhibitors on the first day of the event. Bahrain Logistics Zone assistant director general Hamad Fakhro, remarked: “This year’s show is the biggest yet and we are certainly looking to do business.  We come back year after year and the show just keeps getting bigger and better. We have always got good leads from the event which we later follow up.”

Fakhro described the show as “a key event for Bahrain which allows Bahrain Logistics Zone to target both local business and Saudi Arabian businesses who come here because they see the kingdom as a gateway for their business.”

Bahrain Foam Factory graduated from being a regular visitor over the past years to an exhibitor in 2011.

“We were always impressed when we visited the show but this year we felt we should have a physical presence,” said manager Paul Uruvath.

Baytik Industrial Investment is taking part for the second time as it continues to develop its facilities at Bahrain International Investment Park.

“We are offering an advanced factory concept that offers clients the ability to choose from various-sized facilities that have already been supplied with the necessary infrastructure like roads, electricity and water,” said chief executive officer Nader Almoayyed.

High quality of visitors
“We have already spoken to a number of interested industrialists from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and what has impressed me is the high quality of visitors who are serious about doing business,” said Almoayyed.

Warehousing specialists Majaal had a stand and were also event sponsors. “We have been talking to a lot of potential customers this morning and there has been a lot of interest from people at other stands,” said Majaal director Amin Al Arrayed.

“I am impressed about the scale of the show because the hall is full and there are no empty spaces. The number of firms taking part is very positive and we are not only taking part but are sponsoring the event because we believe in supporting the kind of small to medium sized enterprises that can use this show to grow their business,” he said.