Gulf Industry Fair (GIF), the GCC’s annual industrial event, is set for a stupendous start in its 11th edition with a series of initiatives drawing attention to the region’s economic diversification through industrial development and innovation.

The Gulf’s leading business-to-business (B2B) industrial show will be held from February 6 to 8 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain.

“Despite a regional economic slowdown caused by low oil prices in 2017, ongoing investment in GCC’s industrial infrastructure remains strong. Notably, the announcement of Saudi Arabia’s long-term 2030 Vision blueprint is likely to be a key driver of the Gulf’s industrial ambitions in the coming years,  as the region’s biggest economy accelerates diversification efforts,” said Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), the organisers of Gulf Industry Fair (GIF).  

The 2018 edition of GIF carries the strategic support of Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) and Bahrain Industrial Wharf. The industrial facilities sector is championed by Majaal.

GIF has established itself as the exclusively dedicated industrial products and services expo for the Northern Gulf and Saudi Arabia. The exhibition is an annual celebration of the industrial drivers of the growth in GCC’s economies. The event promotes the key industrial segments of aluminum, industrial processes and manufacturing; industrial metals (steel and alloys); energy and environmental protection; industrial facilities; ports and maritime industries; training for industry; and fire, safety and security. 

Some of the innovative products to be showcased at GIF include tooling, solar energy, smart technology, robotics, floating facilities, aluminium wheels, lighting poles valves, specialised industrial paints and coatings; and compressors.

The 2018 edition will also host the first Solar Utilities Network (SUN) forum which will be inaugurated by HE Dr Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza, the Minister of Electricity and Water (EWA) in Bahrain.  

“Industrial development will require energy to fuel this growth. Today energy requirements is not just about cost effective power generation but also environmental concerns with renewable and greener energy,” commented Ahmed Suleiman, exhibition director, HCE.

“Solar power in the Gulf is becoming a viable option economically which offers tremendous opportunities for businesses in technology supply and reskilling of the work force,” he said.

“The SUN event is an important element for GIF in creating an exchange of knowledge on solar and renewable technology. The forum will focus on the challenges and opportunities of solar including PV storage, solar power generation policies of the government, energy storage and work-force skilling,” Suleiman added.

The Gulf Industry Fair offers exhibiting companies direct access to a dynamic multi-billion dollar industrial marketplace and the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a targeted B2B audience consisting of procurement managers, industrialists, purchasers, consultants and decision makers from the region and internationally.

GIF 2018 will host industry leaders showcasing their products directly or through their distributors in the region, which includes: Audi Transformers, Al Ahleia Switchgear, Metabo, Kohler, Molex, Rockwell Automation, Bahrain Pack, Midal Cables and others.

“We are grateful for the unwavering support of the Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in helping us establish Gulf Industry Fair as the `go to’ exhibition for companies operating in the Northern Gulf’s expanding industrial markets. We look forward to providing the ultimate networking, knowledge sharing and deal making platform for all companies involved in the industrial sectors,” concluded Abdulrahman.