Saudi interior decoration specialist Alarabi is to set up 'permanent operations' in Kuwait, which it considers a key market in the Gulf.

''After almost 20 years of undertaking major decoration projects in Saudi Arabia, Alarabi is now fast expanding its international horizons,'' says Pietro Nebbia, the Italian president of the Jeddah-based firm.

Nebbia continues: "At the moment, we are heavily involved in European projects. We have contracts in France, Italy and Spain, where the quality of our workmanship is highly appreciated and, nowadays, very hard to find in Europe.

''In the Gulf, we are currently focusing on Kuwait where we are completing work on a residential palace. The contract, being undertaken in partnership with the local Arcade G Trading and Contracting Company, demands the highest quality of finishings.''

''The construction of several prestigious projects in Kuwait has convinced us to set up permanent operations in the country,'' he says.

Managed by European engineers, Alarabi has over 1,000 artists and artisans in its workforce.

The company has decorated royal palaces, private villas, government and religious buildings as well as airports and shopping malls, in eight countries over three continents.

It has received international awards for its works in Madrid (Spain), Paris (France) and Rome (Italy).