01 August 2012

MORE than 900 exhibitors from 45 countries have booked floor space to showcase their products at Index, the Middle East and North Africa’s largest and longest established interiors and design exhibition.

Now in its 22nd edition, the event will run from September 24 to 27 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, UAE. Countries that will be represented at the event include Brazil, Canada, Greece, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, and the UK.

Index 2012 comes at a time when the overall GCC interior contracting and fit-out market is expected to increase by 87 per cent in value, the highest increase since 2008, from $5.04 billion in 2011 to $9.4 billion this year. The figures were revealed in new research by Ventures ME commissioned by dmg :: events, the organising team behind the Index.

Data released show that the UAE remains the GCC’s largest interiors market, with forecast spend in interior contracting and fit-out across residential, commercial, hospitality and retail segments totalling $3.73 billion for 2012, up 62 per cent on 2011 figures. Despite this strong growth, the UAE’s dominance is now being challenged, with Saudi Arabia’s interiors and fit-out sector growing twice as quickly over the year and more than doubling in value – up 125 per cent, from $1.55 billion to $3.48 billion, buoyed by government investment in housing, healthcare, education and other infrastructure projects. 

The interiors sectors in Qatar and Oman also recorded significant growth for the year, up 91 per cent to $1.15 billion and 125 per cent to $27 million in 2012 respectively; but it is Kuwait, which recorded the highest GCC market growth, from $19 million in 2011 to $65 million in 2012 – a rise of 242 per cent.

“The report is great news for all of us working in interiors and fit out,” said Naomi Barton, Index event director. “The sector in the GCC is now at its highest value since 2008. Given the huge regional market growth and potential, Index international design exhibition 2012 responds to the keen demand we’re seeing from the interiors and construction industries for access to the latest designs and trends from renowned interior designers and manufacturers from across the world.”

Index 2012 will cover 34,000 sq m gross space of the Dubai World Trade Centre exhibition centre, occupying halls from One to Eight and Zabeel Hall.

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