MANAMA, Bahrain, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre attracted a record attendance of more than 7,000 professionals from 30 nations, including Bahraini students interested in learning more about the field.
General Manager for Unicom Graphics Sonjoy Monteiro, who has done business in Bahrain for more than 16 years, appreciated the organizers' efforts to boost business.
"We are very thrilled and grateful to the organizers. It was important to beat the negativity and squash the rumors," he said. "Bahrain needs these kinds of exhibitions. I hope this is just the beginning and it will open up the floodgates."
Although originally scheduled for March but postponed due to unrest, the delayed conference date did not deter participants or attendees.
"They had to delay the expo but I don't think it has hurt the exhibition. Bahrain is going to be OK and this is one indication that it will be," ARAMCO Professional Development Advisor Melanie Steiman said.
Business Development Manager of Gulf Strategic Partners Paul Mitchell agreed: "I think it is very refreshing to see that there is a lot of interest. Prior to coming here I was not sure of what to expect but it is nice to see people coming back to do business. It shows that more people are willing to put the past behind them and try to bring things back to where they were before."
Organizers are looking forward to future exhibitions that will further boost the economy and target various sectors, such as the upcoming Jewellery Arabia, the largest jewelry exhibition in the Middle East.
"I think this was a test for us and it has been a success. I believe the Jewellery Arabia will go ahead as scheduled," Fawzi S. Al Shehabi, director of sales and marketing for Arabian Exhibition Management, said. "Slowly and gradually we will get back to normal. Hotels are full and taxi drivers are happy."
SOURCE Kingdom of Bahrain
