The construction boom in the Gulf, which will reach $9.2 billion this year, is expected to provide billions of dollars worth of business opportunities for interior design and furniture products, says Hilal Conferences and Exhibition (HCE) general manager Abdulla Shafeea, inset.
He was speaking ahead of the gulfBID 2007 exhibition for construction, interiors and furniture, which organisers say has so far attracted major interior design companies as the perfect venue to generate business and communicate with potential clients.
Deals worth millions of dollars had been signed during gulfBID last year, with more serious deals expected for the event this year, he points out.
The event will be held from May 15 to 17 under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.
gulfBID has sold 70 per cent of its total available space to date, add organisers.
It is a joint venture between DMG Media Group - the organisers of the Big 5 and Index shows in Dubai - and HCE.
Merrill Lynch International Bank donated BD360 to the Palm Association at its office in the Diplomatic Area. The bank had organised a corporate golf day to raise the funds. The association will allocate the amount to buy various items for needy Bahraini families.
Property developer Nakheel has announced the sale of the island of Ireland in its iconic The World project to an Irish business consortium for . Ireland was sold for $38 million.
Britain’s Duke of York Prince Andrew was guest of honour at a reception in Manama held as part of the 15th Middle East Oil and Gas Show. He joined delegates from the UK at the event at the home of the British Ambassador Jamie Bowden in Manama. The royal visitor, who is the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment, flew in especially for the event.
St Patrick’s Day was celebrated by the Bahrain Irish Society at the Gulf Hotel’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The line-up of entertainment
included a performance by Irish dance group Desert Dance, Saudi-based Irish band Get Reel and popular Irish band BeatClub, who were flown in from Ireland. Above, society’s 2007 committee with Gulf Air cabin crew at the event.
Ten contestants sang for stardom at the Pinoy Pop Superstar Worldwide Challenge held at the Baan Saeng Thai auditorium. Sid Vasquez beat the competition with his rendition of Say that You Love Me and Sway with Me, watched by more than 400 people. Julie Doronio was the runner-up. Mr Vasquez will represent Bahrain and compete against winners from the US, Canada, Japan, Malaysia and the GCC at the finals in the Philippines’ capital Manila, from April 7 to 30. Event organiser Albert Gayo, who also hosted the show, was elated with the crowd reaction to the performances.
Kindergarten students from Al Ruwad School, Hamala, visited the French Bakery where they watched cakes and biscuits being made in the huge machinery and the pizza dough being rolled out ready for topping. They were also given some dough, sauce and toppings to make their own mini-pizzas.
The Pakistan Women’s Association (PWA) donated BD300 to Al Rahma Centre, Riffa, for disabled children.
