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Bahrain’s Premier HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa seen at Majaal’s stand last year.

Innovation in focus at GIF

01 February 2018

The spotlight will be on industrial development and innovation at this year’s Gulf Industry Fair 2018 (GIF), when it opens in Bahrain this month (February 6 to 8).

The Gulf Industrial Fair will take place at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre under the patronage of Bahrain’s Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The 2018 edition of GIF Fair carries the strategic support of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) and Bahrain Industrial Wharf. The industrial facilities sector is championed by Majaal.

The annual industrial event will host industry leaders showcasing their products directly or through their distributors in the region. Among them are Audi Transformers, Al Ahleia Switchgear, Metabo, Kohler, Molex, Rockwell Automation, Bahrain Pack and Midal Cables.

Also at the fair, pioneering business conglomerate Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group will be showcasing the innovative products and services of its portfolio of divisions, including Industrial and Energy, Shipping and Logistics, Real Estate and Kanoo Travel.

Alba ... a key exhibitor at Gulf Industry Fair.

Products showcased at GIF include tooling, solar energy, smart technology, robotics, floating facilities, aluminium wheels, lighting poles, valves, specialised industrial paints and coatings, and compressors.

“Despite a regional economic slowdown caused by low oil prices in 2017, ongoing investment in the GCC’s industrial infrastructure remains strong,” said Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of HCE, the organiser of GIF. “Notably, the announcement of Saudi Arabia’s long-term 2030 Vision blueprint is likely to be a key driver of the Gulf’s industrial ambitions in the coming years, as the region’s biggest economy accelerates diversification efforts.”

GIF has established itself as the exclusively dedicated industrial products and services expo for the Northern Gulf and Saudi Arabia. It promotes the key industrial segments of aluminium, industrial processes and manufacturing; industrial metals (steel and alloys); energy and environmental protection; industrial facilities; ports and maritime industries; training for industry; and fire, safety and security.

This year’s edition will also host the first Solar Utilities Network (SUN), which will be inaugurated by the Minister of Electricity and Water HE Dr Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza.

“Industrial development will require energy to fuel this growth. Today, energy requirements are not just about cost-effective power generation but also environmental concerns with renewable and greener energy. Solar power in the Gulf is a becoming a viable option economically which offers tremendous opportunities for businesses in technology supply and reskilling of the workforce,” commented Ahmed Suleiman, exhibitions director of HCE.

One of the keynote speakers at the forum will be a technical expert from Huawei, a leading global ICT and network energy solutions provider.

The Gulf Industry Fair offers exhibiting companies direct access to a dynamic multibillion-dollar industrial marketplace and the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a targeted B2B audience consisting of procurement managers, industrialists, purchasers, consultants and decision makers from the region and internationally.

“We are grateful for the unwavering support of the Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in helping us establish Gulf Industry Fair as the ‘go to’ exhibition for companies operating in the Northern Gulf’s expanding industrial markets. We look forward to providing the ultimate networking, knowledge-sharing and deal-making platform for all companies involved in the industrial sectors.” concluded Abdulrahman.