Dr. Hassan A. Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Chairman of Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA), presided over the 2nd BECA’s board of directors meeting for the year 2013, held on Monday 15th April 2013 at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority acknowledged the continued valuable support of the Kingdom’s leadership and government to the exhibition industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting discussed the continuous efforts and plans to progress the Expo City Project including invitations to the private sector and local banks for equity participation as well as seeking funding for BECA’s share in the strategic Project.
The board reviewed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2012 which revealed that the Authority generated total revenues of BD1.6 million, a 36% increase over the previous year 2011 by organising and facilitating 43 Exhibitions, 23 Small Events and Functions and 16 Conferences. The Authority was able to enhance its source of income by maximizing the utilisation of the Centre for various events during the year including the summer season.
During the meeting, the CEO Hassan Jaffar Mohamed presented the operational performance for the first half of 2013 whereby; at this early in the year basis the events booking, the total gross space and total days of booked events is expected to exceed the 2012 figures by 11% and 39%, respectively. The Board expressed confidence that 2013 performance will be positive and is pleased to note the various developments and upgrade programs for the existing Exhibition Centre including the roster of booked events for the year 2013 and 2014.
The 1st quarter of 2013 witnessed the success of major exhibitions and conferences, local commercial events and other functions hosted by the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre including 2nd Arabian MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing), 6th Gulf Industry Fair, 24th Autumn Fair, 9th Bahrain International Garden Show, 18th Middle East Oil and Gas Show, 2nd EDUTEX (Education & Training International Exhibition) and Bahrain Retail Fair. International and specialized business-to-business exhibitions and conferences lined up for the 2nd quarter events include BECA organized events, the 5th Food and Hospitality Expo 2013 and 3rd Health and Wellness Expo 2013, which will be inaugurated on 16th April 2013 followed by 7th Gulf Bid, 3rd Gulf Interiors, the new Gulf Property Show, Bahrain Exhibition for Training and Education Before Employment and 4th Energy and Water Conservation Expo due to be held in June 2013.