Sheikh Hamed to inaugrate IFEX 2005 tomorrow

Sheikh Hamed to inaugrate IFEX 2005 tomorrow
Sheikh Hamed to inaugrate IFEX 2005 tomorrow Abu Dhabi, 19 Feb. 05 (WAM) - 220 exhibitors, from 11 countries are taking part in IFEX 2005 - the 4th International Interior Design & Exclusive Furniture Exhibition, which will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council & Chairman of the Economic & Planning Department.

IFEX 2005 is organised by the General Exhibitions Corporation (GEC), Abu Dhabi, between 20-24 February 2005, at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition & Conference Centre.

Addressing the media at the pre-show press conference for IFEX 2005, Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Director General of GEC, announced that, "IFEX 2005 is proud to confirm that Sheikh Hamed, will be inaugurating the event tomorrow (20th February 2005), at 5.30 pm".

"IFEX 2005, now in its fourth edition, provides the ideal platform to promote high-end interiors and furnishings for homes, hotels, offices and yachts, and to exchange experiences and information, as well as to exhibit new interior design trends regionally, in order to meet the markets continuous demand", added Al Mazrouie.

Revealing details of the participation at the event, Al Mazrouie said, "220 exhibitors, from 11 countries will be taking part this year from: Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Germany, India, Malaysia and the UAE, with official pavilions from the United Kingdom and Italy.

The exhibition covers a gross area of 14,500 sqm, compared to 2004 which covered a gross area of 13,500 sqm. We are also expecting around 10,000 visitors ranging from VIPs and Professionals".

Acknowledging that the GCC region, particularly the UAE is witnessing a tremendous development boom in real estate and property development, mainly in tourism and commercial projects. The national and international analyst forecast for expenditure is US$63 billion, over the next 7 years, with the population rising to around 42 Million in the GCC countries by the year 2010.

"Following the success of the first IFEX Design Awards (IDA), held in 2004, we are proud to announce that at IFEX 2005 we will again be organising the IFEX Design Awards, with the aim of promoting national universities' talents. This significant event, is organised by GEC for the second consecutive year. It's worth mentioning that the award's this year have attracted more than 100 designs, from 4 local universities - the American University of Dubai, the American University of Sharjah, Zayed University and Ajman University, with a special area allocated to showcasing the students designs, covering 300 sqm", added Al Mazrouie.

The IFEX 2005 Design Award ceremony will take place on 22nd February 2005, at 9.30 pm, the Sheraton Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

Al Mazrouie finished, by acknowledging the tireless support the event has received from the leadership of the UAE, which has been instrumental in its success.

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