By K.S. RAMKUMAR | ARAB NEWS
JEDDAH: Ten US textile and decorative products manufacturers were among the scores of overseas participants at the Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition (SBIE) 2010, which concluded on Wednesday night, after a four-day run.
“The event turned out to be positive for us,” said Ronald K. Lorentzen, deputy assistant secretary for American import administration. Most of the other exhibitors, both local and international, echoed the statement. US exhibitors included those from the hospitality, residential, medical, construction, and decorative products sectors. “The Obama administration is committed to helping the US textile and apparel industries remain, viable, globally competitive, and on the cutting edge of innovation,” he added.
Most of the exhibitors from various countries said they had either concluded successful deals running into multimillion dollars, or they were in the pipeline. “We will come back to the Kingdom as its buoyant economy has tremendous potential,” Biang Yong, a Chinese exhibitor said.
“The purpose of our participation was to look for local partners aside from showcasing our products and services,” a Thai exhibitor said, adding that he proposed to extend his stay to negotiate the deal with a major Saudi businessman.
The 19th comprehensive showcase for the industry had a record participation of more than 500 international and national exhibitors. Overseas exhibitors came from Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Pakistan, Spain, Syria, The Netherlands, Turkey and the UAE as well.
A seminar was also conducted alongside the exhibition, with experts giving technical presentations on the latest trends in construction technology, architecture, decors and furnishings. Students in particular evinced keen interest in the interactive discussion.
“The exhibition continues its success year after year because the Kingdom is focusing on developing infrastructure and construction projects for both public and private sectors,” said a senior executive of Construction Products Holding Company, which was the main sponsor of the event for the second consecutive year.
Building and construction equipment and products, as well as industry related items like air-conditioning and heating, architectural finishing, electrical supplies and equipment, engineering services, environmental technology, landscape and hardscape, lighting, real estate, safety and security, stone, marble and granite, and water technology featured the exhibition in its building section.
Its interiors section showcased hotels and leisure products and services, office environment, outdoors and landscape design, schools and hospitals, shopping malls and restaurants, and decors and furnishings for the home.
Businessmen, traders, diplomats, professionals and students were among over 24,500 people visiting the show. “With 85 percent of the exhibitors achieving the purpose of their participation, 70 percent confirming their return at the 2011 edition (scheduled from April 25-28, 2011) and total visitor satisfaction, this year’s show surpassed all records,” Zahoor Siddique, exhibitions director at ACE said.
Arab News
