International Furniture Expo Targets Middle East

Singapore, Malaysia, February 7, 2007--The first International Hospitality Furniture Expo (IHFEX) which aims to tap the vibrant Middle Eastern market will debut at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre from 1 to 5 September 2007.

It is the Middle East's only fully dedicated furniture contract manufacturing exhibition targeting the fit-out of hotels, service apartments, commercial projects, cruise liners and other hospitality projects.

IHFEX is organized by, Singapore based, MP Congress & Exhibitions Pte Ltd and International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd (IFFS). It is endorsed by the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce and supported by the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council.

According to Tony Chan, project director of IHFEX 2007, 'The hospitality sector investments in the Middle East are in abundance as governments diversify their economies and join private investors to develop major tourism-related projects. As such, IHFEX in 2007 is timely as it provides the platform for companies to start making inroads into this potentially lucrative market place.'

Interest in IHFEX is high, with more than 30 per cent of space reserved by manufacturers from Singapore and around the region before its launch late last year. With an expected size of 8,000 square meters, the exhibition will feature participation from China, Singapore, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy Germany and the United Kingdom.

'Although it is our maiden effort, we are very pleased to be able to leverage on the strong position and connections of the IFFS Pte Ltd and its flagship show, the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS), which is Asia's leading furniture showcase. Together with the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce, we hope to further promote IHFEX at this show which takes place from 1 - 3 March 2007,' Tony added.

Exhibitors at IHFEX will showcase furniture, seating, bed and beddings, tables and table tops, bath, bathroom and spa, flooring, wall coverings, windows and window treatments, fabrics, lightings, art pieces and accessories, water features, signage, electronics and appliances, and software systems. The exhibition will be promoted to architects, commercial building and offices owners, buyers and specifiers, cruise liner owners and operators, hospitality companies, hotel owners, hotel management companies, interior decorators and designers, property developers, residential projects operators and serviced apartment owners and operators.