THIS year’s gulfInteriors show, to be held from May 7 to 9 in Hall 2 of the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), comes within the context of markedly increased spending on commercial, industrial and residential buildings, particularly in Saudi Arabia where investments in the building and interiors sector are seen to be at a high level.

gulfInteriors, which will be held alongside the gulfBID exhibition and Gulf Property Show, traditionally enjoys the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is widely regarded as a top platform for showcasing interiors trends, technologies and products over several segments of the industry presented by Northern Gulf and other Gulf manufacturers and representatives of multinational companies.

Evidence of the boom that the interiors industry is experiencing is seen in the hospitality segment where developers of upcoming hotel projects in the GCC countries expected to spend an estimated $1.65 billion on fit-out and interior design, or about 22.5 per cent of total project costs of $7.33 billion.

The Ventures Middle East 2012 Report, which analyses trends in the GCC interior contracting and fit-out market, singled out Saudi Arabia’s interiors and fit-out sector, whose value grew 125 per cent year on year in 2012 to $3.5 billion, roughly twice the UAE’s growth rate.

A firm specialising in glass fusion creations was an exhibitor in 2012

This report comes within the context of a broader construction spending boom in the GCC. According to reports, the four Northern Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) could see roughly $1 trillion worth of new construction projects over the next five to 10 years alone, from infrastructure projects such as new airports (some $14.6-billion worth of projects are planned in Saudi Arabia over the next 20 years) to residential and commercial real estate projects.

Also, Saudi Arabia reportedly needs at least two million homes by 2014 to keep up with current population growth rates, while Bahrain plans to build more than 100,000 residential units over the next 10 years.

In Qatar, state-owned Lusail Real Estate Development Company is building a new city in time for the 2022 Fifa World Cup which will have 200,000 residents, while in Kuwait some $62-billion worth of new housing projects were expected to be launched over the last year.

With such an impressive project pipeline, it is little surprise that interior fit-out and design specialists from across the region and further afield are positioning themselves for the windfall, establishing their regional presence and building their capabilities and product portfolios accordingly.

It is three years since gulfInteriors made its debut in Bahrain as the ultimate showcase for these specialist interiors companies. Originally intended to complement and run concurrently with the well-established gulfBID exhibition, gulfInteriors today has a unique brand identity, attracting the crème-de-la-crème of the interiors, design and furniture worlds – from manufacturers and suppliers to retailers and designers, and architects and contractors.

Reflecting the demand and tastes of the regional market, the show has since expanded and adapted. Organiser Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE) of Bahrain will seek to capitalise on the regional feel-good factor by staging an inspirational showcase for home-grown and renowned international brands covering sectors including furniture, paints, kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, ceramics, wall coverings and art and accessories segments, in a creatively charged yet distinctly boutique atmosphere.

Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of HCE, says: “Since 2010, gulfInteriors has developed a flavour and character all of its own. While it still strongly complements the overwhelmingly successful gulfBID exhibition, the interiors show has also carved a distinct niche as a place where specialist product and service providers can mingle and do business with project managers, specifiers, buyers and even home owners, against a background of exciting new projects and increasing economic wealth.

“We are committed to broadening the appeal of the exhibition and offering something of interest to everyone – since every visitor to gulfInteriors is a prospective customer for the exhibitors.

“Last year’s gulfBID and gulfInteriors shows saw over 6,500 visitors coming over three days. We are excited over the potential visitor  attractions by the participation of leading interior brands such as Berger Paints, Thevenon, Designers Guild,  Sonia Rykel Maison, Tarkett and Missoni Home to mention a few.”

gulfInteriors is supported by Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce; Tamkeen, Bahrain’s Labour Fund; and the Arab German Chamber of Commerce (Ghorfa).