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Architects, contractors and home hunters from across the region flocked to the gulfBID, Gulf Property Show and gulfInteriors exhibitions to get a glimpse at what local and international construction, interior design and real estate companies had to offer.
The three-day event, staged at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre by GulfWeekly’s sister company Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE), featured 130 exhibitors consisting of a variety of products and services, including scaffolding and building materials, luxurious property rentals, chic decor and artwork.
The trio of trade shows, held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, not only attracted 7,300 visitors, but also featured millions of dollars’ worth of transactions in the property market alone.
According to Ahmed Suleiman, HCE exhibitions director, the event, best-known across the Northern Gulf as ‘3G’, had higher quality exhibitors, a larger footfall and was even more successful this time around.
He said: “Last year we thought it was good but this time it has been even better than we imagined. The property show has grown about 60 per cent and while the other shows may have been reduced slightly in size they surely were not in quality.
“The property show, which was supported by Bahrain Property Development Association, for example, attracted companies from Turkey, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, featuring real estate and developments available in countries such as Spain, Serbia, Nigeria, the UK and the US.
“Also, many people came in from Saudi Arabia interested in the projects,” he added. “After totting up some of the dealings made at the shows, exhibitors made something in the region of $50-60 million worth of transactions on the property market alone.
“For us, this achievement has established Bahrain and the Gulf Property Show as the regional centre for property transactions. People are choosing to go with us rather than other real estate venues in the region.”
For example, the Kleindienst Group, a major European real estate developer based in Dubai, opted to launch its new project in Bahrain rather than at the Cityscape exhibition in Qatar.
The group, best known for developing The Heart of Europe islands resort nestled amidst the archipelago of Dubai’s The World project, launched its underwater villas project called Floating Seahorses at the show.
The Floating Seahorses will be located just offshore from St Petersburg and the main Europe Island which will be a short boat ride from the coast of Dubai. Each individual Floating Seahorse will boast three levels, one underwater, one at sea level and an upper deck.
The group has already sold 35 of the 42 units offered primarily to private GCC and Asian investors, according to Mr Suleiman, and four interests from the kingdom alone.
Other exhibitors that benefited from the Gulf Property Show were Ithmaar Development Company and Al Saraya Properties.
Ithmaar sold a strategic plot on the Dilmunia Island to renowned Kuwaiti developer and hospitality investor, Kuwait Resort Company, with a sale value of BD8.84 million.
The seafront property will be developed to offer waterfront villas, city villas and a range of luxury apartments overlooking the Dilmunia Canal waterfalls. The development is set to include more than 300 residential offerings set in lush, landscaped surroundings.
As for Al Saraya, according to Mr Suleiman, many of the villas were also snapped up. Another highlight of the property show was when UAE-based Eagle Hills and Bahrain’s Diyar Al Muharraq signed up for two hospitality projects set to come up at Marassi Al Bahrain, a 865,000sq/m waterfront destination located on the eastern shores of Diyar Al Bahrain.
Under the deal, Emaar Hospitality’s two brands, The Address Hotels + Resorts and Vida Hotels and Resorts, will operate two luxury hotel and serviced residences at Marassi Al Bahrain.
Ali Al Khoor, Inovest’s investment analyst, added: “This is the best way to get involved in the market at the moment in Bahrain. It gives you a lot of chances to showcase your projects and we have received a lot of interest. We sold most of our properties over the three days and the most recent were two one-bedroom apartments that went for BD61,000 each.”
Other exhibitors found the show beneficial in terms of networking and showcasing their services. For example, Cebarco Bahrain, a leading building and civil engineering company, the focal point of the KAR Group of companies which provides a variety of services from construction to design, found the expo useful to network as well as announce projects.
It received interest in its upcoming properties and thanks to having gulfBID under the same roof was able to connect with other contractors.
Fadi Khori, project manager of Kuwaiti Manager Contracting (KMC), is confident of further growth in 2016. He said: “We have completed many jobs including the Holiday Inn Express in Hoora and Isa Town Mall and a few on-going residential buildings in Hidd. We have met many developers such as Bahrain Marina and others. It was a great exhibition.”
While one end of the exhibition featured giant trucks, scaffolding, piping and cranes, the other hall was full of opulent furnishings, lighting and art work.
As Mr Suleiman believes that by keeping the three expos under one roof, strategically, it makes sense. He said: “You have people that want to buy a home and then decorate it so therefore it’s important to have them together.
“Now, if I buy a flat and I still need to find someone or somewhere to decorate, then I can find designers in the next hall and manufacturers in the other.”
An Italian delegation attended the gulfInteriors for the business-to-business opportunities that the show provided.
Designers like Classy Interiors showcased a special collection of artisan furniture. Hassan Janahi, the executive director and designer, has created items inspired by his love for classical music.
A coffee table made out of traditional ouds, with a speaker playing music, drew much attention. Visitor Gritta Mudersbach, a sales manager, said: “There was a violin table, a piano in the shape of a falcon and a cello with a computer monitor. It was amazing.”
Artist and designer Mustafa Halawachi, who is used to creating the large stands seen at the exhibition, finally had one of his own to promote his unique lighting fixtures and wall art.
Aside from the shows, organisers continued to entice guests by featuring seminars throughout the event, adding a jazz lounge for breaks and making a play area available for children.
And there’s more to come. Next year plans are already in place for more workshops, new educational elements and further developments. “We have many ideas to keep things interesting,” added Mr Suleiman.
