More than 8,700 visitors attended the gulfBID, gulfInteriors and the Gulf Property Show, which successfully concluded last month in Bahrain.

The 3Gs – as the trio of exhibitions are popularly known – showcased the latest products and services of as many as 144 local, regional and international exhibitors, who leveraged the opportunity afforded by the platform to launch their latest innovations, clinch deals and establish new contacts within the Northern Gulf’s construction, interiors and real estate markets.

His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, inaugurated the exhibitions, which were held concurrently at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. They encompassed nearly 6,000 sq m of floor space and were billed as showpieces for the Northern Gulf in their respective fields.

Organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) of Bahrain, the three exhibitions are considered valuable launchpads into the multi-billion-dollar construction, interiors and real estate markets of the Northern Gulf and together create one of the biggest combined business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) showcase in the kingdom. In 2015, the shows attracted more than 7,000 visitors.

“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 HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman.

“The more than 20 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.”

He added: “The 2016 edition of the shows has seen a real growth of participants from Bahrain and across the GCC looking to offer a ‘Made in the GCC’ option. There is no other show in the region which offers the chance to buy property, source construction materials and services and select interior décor products under one roof.”

gulfBID hosted an increased number of companies from Saudi Arabia including Espac, Saudi Bitumen Industrial Company, Rafee Metal Industries Factory, Al Kaabi For Testing Equipment, Plastbau Arabia, Al Atrash Trading, O2ProFormance, Fabco Plastic Factory, Silkcoat, Jawdah For Trading & Industrial Company, Arabtech Construction, and Rezayat Protective Coating, displaying products as varied as high-tech building fabrics, concrete products, polystyrene building blocks, scaffolding, PVC tents and steel structures and cranes.

The expo enjoyed strategic sponsorship from Bahrain-based Haji Hassan Group, which showcased products and services from its portfolio of building materials firms - such as Bahrain Precast Concrete, Bahrain Blocks, Haji Hassan Readymix, and Arabian Chemical Industries (Isola) – as well as heavy equipment including Bahrain’s largest mobile crane, a 500-tonne Liebherr. Kuwaiti Manager Contracting (KMC) also continued as strategic sponsor of gulfBID.

Meanwhile, gulfInteriors 2016 featured an eclectic range of local, regional and international brands covering furniture, paints, kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, ceramics, wall coverings, art and accessories.

For 2016, the addition of leading design houses such as Titolo and Archinteriors brought an exciting perspective of regional designers using major brands such as Armani Casa and Zoffany to express their creativity.

gulfInteriors had Hempel Paints and KMC Building Materials as strategic sponsors. Hempel led the increased participation from paint companies at the exhibition while KMC’s global partners on its stand included Babini and Poltrona Frau (both of Italy); Wagner (Germany); Topstar, LE-AL Executive Office Furniture (UK);  Hermann Miller, Steelcase, Kimball and Humanscale (all of US).

Furthermore, the 3Gs this year featured eight seminars highlighting key products and services as well as providing insights into two major projects under way in the Gulf.

“Our visitors have one thing in common – a desire to find efficient solutions to their investment and procurement needs. With the ‘3Gs’, we deliver all of this and more,” said Abdulrahman.

Bookings have already begun for the 2017 editions, with expansion likely.