latest data confirms the global importance of the middle east interiors market
Official figures show that imports of furniture and interiors products to the Gulf region, which exceeded US$6.5 billion in 2006, are rising at a significant rate. As the regional construction sector continues to expand at great pace, this upward trend is set to further accelerate, and means that the Middle East and North Africa region is now very close to attaining parity with mature, well-established markets such as the EU, USA and Japan.
Playing a major role in supporting this strong growth, Index, the Middle East’s annual international showcase of the very best in interiors, is globally acknowledged as one of the world’s most significant interiors events. “What gives Index such irresistible appeal for professionals involved in all aspects of the interiors industry is the fact that it is totally comprehensive, covering furniture, textiles, flooring, wall coverings, window products, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, ceramics, interior architecture, accessories, interior design services and furniture production,” said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai Ltd., the organisers of the event.
Key representation from countries acknowledged as leaders in the international interiors market further underpins the importance of Index.
Federlegno-Arredo, the Italian federation of wood, cork, furniture and furnishing manufacturers, organised its first participation at Index in 1997. “Our Federation at that time was starting to promote Italy’s furniture industry all over the world, and we chose to take part in Index because it was, and still is, the most important international furniture and interiors event in the Middle East, both for the number of visitors and exhibitors,” said a senior official from Federlegno-Arredo. “The number of Italian companies participating through our Federation has consistently grown over the years and in 2007 our pavilion will cover an area of over 3,000 sqm, with more than 120 participating companies.”
“The Middle East as a whole is a market that is growing in importance every day for Italian companies. It is a very dynamic region, with many important building projects that are in progress or are to be realised - this is why Index represents such a big opportunity for Italian companies which supply not only furniture, but also doors, windows, wood floors, etc. - during the exhibition they will meet builders, contractors, designers and architects, not only from the UAE and the GCC countries, but also from India, the Far East and Australia, giving them a unique platform from which to show their new products and develop new co-operations.”
Southeast Asia is also expanding its share of the Middle East market, and will be strongly represented at Index 2007.
“Before participating at any international event, we always look at the historical quality of visitors and exhibitors,” said Henry J. Schumacher, CEO of ECCP, the official body responsible for the Southeast Asian participation. “Over the 6 years that we have taken part, Index has proven itself worthy, given the substantial increase in the number of visitors and exhibitors, not to mention the business generated and overall positive feedback to the show we receive from buyers and co-exhibitors alike. A very comprehensive and focused show with the emphasis firmly on quality, we have no doubt that Index remains, by far, the largest and most prestigious interiors exhibition in the entire Gulf Region.”
“The good mix of international visitors and buyers you meet at Index is what sets the show apart. Nowhere else do you get to meet such a diverse number of contacts under one roof. For companies aiming to penetrate the Middle East and Gulf Region in general, Index is definitely the right channel.”
“At Index 2007, we will highlight, for the first time in the region, ‘Asean Fusion’, a seamless presentation of mid to high design and quality products and design capabilities from Southeast Asian manufacturers meant to capture and fascinate visitors to the pavilion and its special setting. It is a groundbreaking project that applies modern aesthetics to regional design, mixing traditional colours, patterns and forms to create a new Asean style suited for modern living that offers a visual feast of the best furniture, furnishings, home accessories and giftware in a collective lifestyle presentation from the region,” said Schumacher.
Covering over 61,000 sqm of floor space (35,594 sqm net), Index 2006 completely filled Dubai’s International Exhibition Centre. Hosting 1,575 exhibitors from 57 countries, plus 35 country pavilions, it continued to demonstrate strong growth, once again settting a new attendance record (36,994), a year on year increase of over 7%, with 62% travelling to the show from outside Dubai.
“Index is a truly global event, both in terms of exhibitors and the audience of professional buyers and specifiers who come from the whole of the GCC region, the Indian subcontinent, wider Middle East region, Africa, Europe and even the Far East and America,” said Kim Willis, Exhibition Development Director of dmg world media Dubai. “Over the years, we have developed the show into a true one-stop sourcing event for the industry.”
Exhibitors at Index 2006 received substantial orders at the show - APF Munn Master Framemakers of the USA, making their first appearance at the show, took a firm contract to supply custom-made mirrors for an 1,800 room, 5 star hotel in Dubai, while timber and wood products specialist Mega Star, another debutant, was close to securing contracts worth a total of US$1 million. “These deals will be some of the largest that we have ever signed at an exhibition,” said Sarwan Singh, Mega Star’s Business Development Manager.
In addition to the many deals secured at the show, Index exhibitors, including those from many countries who used the show to test the potential of the Middle East market, took the opportunity to appoint agents and source new distributors for their products. Many were so encouraged by the high level of interest shown in their product ranges, that they decided to set up bases in the region.
2007 sees Index, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year, taking place from 1-5 November at Dubai International Exhibition Centre. “The most satisfying statistic of all from our point of view is the high number of repeat bookings that were taken during last year’s Index,” concluded Walsh. “This clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the event in generating business for our exhibitors.”
