The 3Gs – a trio of exhibitions namely Gulf Construction Expo, Gulf Interiors and Gulf Property Show – attracted more than 8,300 unique visitors to the two halls at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Conference Centre last month (April 25 to 27), according to the organisers.

The event showcased the products and services of 130 exhibitors representing technologies from leading brands as well as offers from reputed property firms.

“Brisk levels of business were reported, and the shows have once again proven just why they are the leading events of their kind for the Northern Gulf,” said Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), the organiser.

“The more than 10 per cent jump in visitor numbers suggests that Bahrain has reinforced its position as a premier investment destination in the world, thanks to its infrastructure, communications, investment environment and competitive cost of doing business.”

The three shows together created one of the biggest combined business-to-business and business-to-consumer showcase in the kingdom with significant multi-million-dollar deals signed, a raft of new products and technologies unveiled and big-ticket purchases made.

He said, bookings have already begun for the 2018 editions, with the Gulf Property Show destined for further expansion.

“We expect more than 50 per cent of all our exhibitors to book early for next year’s shows,” said Abdulrahman, adding that the Gulf Property Show had “outperformed all expectations and will be expanded next year to meet surging demand”.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the three-in-one event was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in the presence of senior government officials and other big players.

For the third consecutive year, Haji Hassan, a diversified construction-focused group, was a strategic sponsor of the Gulf Construction Expo (formerly gulfBID).

The group presented its diverse corporate portfolio at the expo. Amongst the group’s companies represented were Arabian Parts Company, Bahrain Asphalt, Arabian Chemical Industries (Isola), Haji Hassan Ready-mix, Bahrain Pipes, Bahrain Precast Concrete, Bahrain Blocks and Haji Hassan Reinforcement.

RP Kingdom Projects, Bahrain’s construction, development and industrial powerhouse, joined the expo as a strategic sponsor for the first time. The group is a major contractor for turnkey projects not only in Bahrain but also around the GCC and other countries.

The exhibitions attracted 8,300 unique visitors.

Motor City, the sole distributor in Bahrain for Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), was the plant and machinery sector sponsor at the Gulf Construction Expo 2017.

HHI offers a wide range of hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders and industrial vehicles which were on display at Gulf Construction Expo.

Amna Insulations, a leading provider of energy-saving solutions for the construction sector, supported the ‘Green Technology’ sector at the Gulf Construction Expo.

Among the exhibitors, Al Nooh Wood Design managing director Hassan Al Nooh said the company used the platform to debut the new look of the business for the next chapter in the company’s history.

Other major players from the GCC’s construction industry at the expo included Moiz Trading, Paramount Doors, Dream Group, Bramco, Saberi Construction, Al Gillidary Trading and Industry, Alaa Al Jazeera Elevators, Paschal Concrete Forms, Rentech ME/Polycon Bahrain, LightLint and Cleantec.

The exhibition hosted a high number of specialist companies from Saudi Arabia including Espac, Plastbau Arabia, Fabco Plastic Factory, Al Hoty Stanger, Sandwich Panel Factory, Adwan Chemical Industries, Rezayat Protective Coating and Al Drees Industrial and Trading (Alitco).

The Gulf Property Show received a record number of sponsors breaking last year’s record size. This year, Diyar Al Muharraq and Manara Developments were strategic sponsors. The show’s gold sponsors were Bahrain Marina Development Company and First Bahrain Real Estate; and silver sponsors were Khaleeji Commercial Bank and Fontana Real Estate.

Diyar Al Muharraq featured its iconic eponymous development and other landmark projects including Al Bareh, Al Naseem, Al Qamra, Deerat Al Oyoun, Diyar Homes, Diyar Town Centre and Dragon City. The developer also focused on commercial plots available for investment such as commercial villa plots, the B5 residential building plots, light industry/logistics and warehousing plots and commercial showroom plots.

Also taking centre stage was the Marassi Al Bahrain Development by Eagle Hills Developers at Diyar Al Muharraq, where the developer launched its The Address Residences  Marassi Al Bahrain (see Real Estate section).

Manara Developments offered units from its major residential projects, such as Wahati, Kenaz Al Bahrain and Hasabi.

And Bahrain Marina Development made the public debut of its mixed-use development along Manama’s marina coastline as a new prime tourist destination.

The best in design and luxury standards set by Bahrain’s interiors design houses was showcased at Gulf Interiors.

This year’s line-up included architects, interior designers, importers and dealers who had chosen the platform for luxury interiors, design and furniture to network and market their products.

Hempel Paints renewed its position as strategic sponsors and used the show as a unique marketing proposition to launch its new collection of innovative décor paints, Topaz Colour Trends 2017.

Other exhibitors included Mobilia Uno, Fatima Al Ansari Designs, ID Design, Al Maraya Décor, Saleh Al Jallawi Group, National Paints UAE, Dar Al Mimari Windows and Doors, Universal Enterprises, Plaffix, Grapevine, Blue Zone and Al Amal House Trading.