THE seventh Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) set new fair records with many exhibitors concluding contracts.

Billed as the regional industrial showcase for the Northern Gulf, GIF 2014 was held last month (February 4 to 6) at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).

Inaugurated by Bahrain’s Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the event attracted 3,200 visitors from 10 countries, a six per cent increase on last year.

Organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), which is part of Bahrain’s Al Hilal Group, the annual B2B event had 127 firms from 15 countries exhibiting over 3,400 sq m of space – new fair records.

HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said: “The feedback from participants was very positive with most of them wanting to return next year. I have been told by the participants that in total many multi-million-dollar deals have been signed or committed.”

First Bahrain’s Majaal Warehouse Company signed a dead with Espac, a Saudi-Emirati company specialising in precast aerated concrete. Espac will supply wall panels for Majaal’s projects (see Regional News).

Majaal also signed a tenancy deal with Bahrain-based First Uniforms Company (FMC), which will be setting up a 250-sq-m factory to produce 60,000 high-end industrial uniforms per year.

Zayani Motors, celebrating its 80th anniversary, used the platform to launch Shantui, a Chinese construction equipment maker’s entire range in Bahrain.

The Vineyard Group chose the fair as a launchpad to introduce its natural water treatment system – the Care-Free Water Conditioners. It has held several unique patents for reducing salinity in the soil and increasing the quality of water supply.

Falcon Trading Company said it introduced several new products such as maintenance chemicals and Masterlock for the oil and gas industry. The company, a leading industrial machinery and equipment supplier with a 25,000 product range, showcased the range of six new brands mainly from Europe.

First-time exhibitor Bell Dredging Pumps of the Netherlands was close to establishing a dealership in Bahrain in addition to winning orders for Bell 200-type dredger pumps from two Saudi firms, according to a senior official Leon van der Bell.

Modon, the Saudi Industrial Property Authority, was upbeat on its maiden appearance at the fair, and promised to be back next year with an entourage of Saudi factories who will be participating under our umbrella.

International Technical Supplies and Services (ITSS) said it was expecting to buy Volvvo’s FM model of trucks.

The next edition of GIF will be held from February 3 to 5, 2015.