“Convention Centre during the first half of 2011 started off with Autumn Fair where 770 local, regional and international exhibitors participated, occupied 16,000 square meters which is the maximum space available. The Fair attracted at an average of 22,000 visitors a day including Bahrain citizens with the large proportion of which came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC estimated to be about 30,000 people,” BECA Board of directors in its meeting discussed on Monday.
Dr. Hassan A. Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, who is also Chairman of BECA chaired board meeting held at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Complex in Seef. The board was briefed on the latest developments on the operational performance of the Authority during the first half of 2011 as well as the Authority’s plans and programmes which include the planned exhibitions and conferences programme for second half of 2011 and the various improvement and development projects undergoing implementation.
A presentation was also conducted highlighting the latest update on the development and implementation plan of the “Expo City” project planned to be constructed in Sakhir City near the Bahrain International Circuit to fulfill the long-term future growth requirement of the Kingdom’s MICE industry.
The Authority officials presented the list of exhibitions and conferences held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and other completed events included BECA-owned and organized Food and Hospitality Expo, Health and Wellness Expo and the Love and Loyalty Festival and Exhibition, the 1st International Meditation and Self-Empowerment Conference, Gulf International Industry Fair and various local business events in addition to Summer Activities of the Youth City 2030 organized by the General Organization for Youth and Sports and Bahrain Summer organized by the Ministry of Culture.
BECA’s financial performance to date and the expected results by the end of 2011 was discussed and the board was confident and optimistic on the restoration of the steady future growth in the local and international exhibition and conferences sector as well as the achievement of targeted returns starting from the second half of this year. The Minister of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority acknowledged the continued support of Kingdom’s leadership and government to the exhibition industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain and in strengthening its role and contribution to the national economy.