Gulf Industry Fair 2014 opens in Bahrain

A total of nearly 120 exhibitors — representing the aluminum, steel and alloys, industrial processes and manufacturing, energy and environmental protection, ports, logistics and free trade zones, training for industry, industrial safety and security, and marine and deep sea services segments — are participating in the regional showcase for the northern Gulf until Thursday.In addition to companies from Bahrain, more than 15 other countries — Australia, Belgium, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, India, Italy, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the UAE, the UK and the United States — are being represented by their products, more than twice the number in 2013.Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), which organizes the show, says: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to His Royal Highness the Prime Minister for once again lending his support to Gulf Industry Fair.“After almost a year of meticulous planning, the doors have now opened and the sense of energy and anticipation is palpable as we look to offer the ultimate business-enabler for the northern Gulf’s industrial sector. We look forward to three days of networking and deal making among exhibitors and visitors.”The fair’s sponsors include Bahrain’s National Oil & Gas Authority (Noga) in association with Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco); Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminum smelters; Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY); First Bahrain-Majaal Warehouse Company; Ahmed Mansour Al Ali; British Offset Office; the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce; the Middle East Association; AHK (German Chambers Network); GAC and Machinery Trade International.Meanwhile, Tamkeen (Labor Fund) is yet again extending financial assistance to SME exhibitors under its Tarweej growth assistance scheme, whereby up to 80 percent of the participating costs of eligible companies are covered.