The Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition (SBIE) concluded last month with exhibitors proclaiming the event a huge success.

Officially inaugurated by Prince Misha'al bin Majed bin Abdul Aziz, governor of Jeddah, the five-day event covered the entire building, interiors and construction sectors with working displays and outside demonstrations in addition to static exhibits.

Close to an estimated 8,000 visitors attended the show, says the Jeddah-based organiser Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), which claims to be the first company to organise professional trade and public exhibitions in the Kingdom.

Twenty countries were represented in national pavilions or by individual companies. Of these, Thailand represented the largest group with more than 18 individual companies.

Other groups and companies included Austria, Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and several Gulf states.

''New features for 2002 were of both local and worldwide relevance,'' says a spokesman for ACE. ''A special area was created for a unique architectural showcase by the Umran Society, which also led a symposium running parallel to the show.''

The scope of the exhibition was widened to cover the parallel sector of interior design.

Even on the opening night, exhibitors were releasing details of big business deals and successful partner negotiations, he says. Those success stories multiplied, and by the time the show closed it was being hailed a success.

Austrian flooring manufacturer STIA Holzindustria was exhibiting in the Kingdom for the first time. "This show was very successful for us," said Hans Kalss. "This was our first time here and we were successful in setting up an import deal."

For the British Contract Furnishing Association, Gary Bailey commented: "This has been a good show," adding that interest from hotel supplies companies had been excellent and that he hoped to return with a larger display for the next show.

Flying in especially for the event to appear publicly for the first time in the Kingdom, the internationally famed JCB Dancing Diggers added sparkle to the proceedings in a special arena built by the organiser adjacent to the main exhibition site.

Local companies also reported success. Hummam Attar, owner of Hummam Attar Construction and Theming Corporation. reported sales in excess of SR2 million ($533,000) for laser technology machines while on the stand of Jubail International Commercial Centre, executive manager Khaleel Jamalieh said that the response had been so good that his company intends to set up a new branch in Jeddah.

The next edition of this show will take place from May 25 to 29, 2003.