MANAMA: gulfBID has attracted more international companies than ever before despite the global economic downturn as the construction and interiors Industry looks to the Middle East for growth. That has seen global players from furniture manufacturers to wood specialists flock to this year's event.
Spanish company proiek specialise in outdoor and indoor public furniture ranging from benches to public art designed for everything from parts and shopping malls to offices.
"We are a new company, founded just four years ago in Bilbao and we are now looking for overseas markets," said Estibaliz Olasolo Larinage of the firm's export and marketing department.
"We saw the Middle East as a perfect market for our upmarket products and gulfBID seemed the ideal opportunity for us to break into this region.
"So far it has gone very well at the show and we have had a lot of interest in what we are offering."
Boa-Franc already does a lot of business in Saudi Arabia and Qatar as well as Kuwait and Iran but is using gulfBID to set up an operation in Bahrain.
The Canadian-based timber high quality wood manufacturer is looking to find a local distributor, according to international business development executive director Roy Najjar.
"We want to set up a distribution network here in Bahrain and so far we have come across some pretty positive prospects.
"It's a long way to travel for a show from Quebec, but it looks like it has been worthwhile."
Sonia Murad, who specialises in top of the range furniture in the company that bears her name is a first time exhibitor from Pakistan who has been extremely impressed by the event.
"We have business in Dubai but we want to expand into the northern Gulf and we have had a lot of interests from retailers both in Bahrain and Kuwait," said Ms Murad.
"We are now looking to set up our own retail outlet here in the kingdom."
Dubai-based Middle East Wood is on its third visit to the show, and while general manager Alexandra John said that the first day had been a bit slow, she expected things to turn up.
"We have been here three times so obviously it is an important event for us. The first day was a bit slow, though it always is, but we are now getting a lot of interest."
business@gdn.com.bh
