Dy PM opens Bahrain Int’l Modern House Exhibition

Bahrain International Modern House Exhibition was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa at the Bahrain Exhibition Centre yesterday.

Minister of Energy Dr Abdulhussein Mirza, Minster of Housing Basim Alhamer, Parliament First Deputy Chairman Ali Al Aradi, MP Jamal Dawood, Managing Director Diyar Al Muharraq Aaref Hejres and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Shaikh Khalid said that the government’s vision to diversify income revenues was partly based on encouraging the private sector to hold exhibitions that directly yield positive results on the Kingdom’s GDP.

He said the Kingdom was embarking on a new phase of more administrative organisation and strategic planning regarding the hosting of exhibitions, noting that Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibition (BATE), on which Royal Decree 76/2016 was issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa recently, will regulate the commercial conferences and exhibitions and attract conferences and exhibitions.

Shaikh Khalid added that building the Exhibitions City near BIC at Sakhir has a priority in the coming period, given its importance in boosting and supporting the exhibitions industry.

CEO of First Target Establishment, Yousef Dawood thanked the Deputy Premier for patronising the event.

Shaikh Khalid toured the stalls and had one-on-one interaction with the exhibitors.

The second edition of three-day exhibition organised by First Target Establishment will remain open for the public from 10am to 10pm.

Exhibition covers a space of 4,500 square metres with 77 exhibitors including Al Kobaisi, Alyousaf Holding Group, Daniel Décor, Bahrain Abbas Biljeek, Al Awadhi Electronics, Al Rashid Kitchens and many other groups from real estate, construction, lightings, carpets and other household related areas.

“We have exhibitors from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, Europe, Turkey, the USA, Italy and France,” said Noor, representing the organisers.

Speaking to DT News, GM of Awadi Group Rakesh Shravasatava said that his group was planning expansion according to the needs of the market. “We plan to start a furniture manufacturing factory in Bahrain soon.” 

He said they recently opened a multi brand service centre under the new division called Awadi Care Centre. 

He added that they had qualitative brands like Fagor and the prices were very competitive.

Representative of Czech Republican company Bohimia based in Bahrain said that the exhibition was great and hoped people like their stuff. 

Zainab of Sama Ceramic, exhibiting for the first time here, said it was good to see a diverse range of exhibitors alongside new technology. 

Meanwhile, Project Manager of Faisal Sharaf Contracting Bahrain Manal opined that the participants had doubled over the year, but felt there was still scope for improvement. 

Zainab of Mirai Architecture and Engineering stated that they were getting many good clients like sub contractors at their expo booth. She suggested the organisers must do some workshops for the exhibitors so that they could benefit from the exhibition.

Paramount Doors representative Bashir said they expect more people on Friday and Saturday. All the exhibitors, including Hassan from a real estate company, expressed happiness over the response they received at the exhibition. Hassan said his company sold many apartments and they intend to sell more.

Hussein Al Mansur and his wife, who were visiting the exhibition, however, claimed  many of the items were unaffordable to them.