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Index 2011 opens at Dubai World Trade Centre

DUBAI: Index, the Middle East and North Africa's largest and longest established Interiors and Design Exhibition, was inaugurated on Sunday by H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum at the Dubai World Trade Centre . Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the show is a key platform for architects, designers and specifiers to source interiors and design solutions.

Index 2011 features over 900 exhibitors from almost 50 countries and showcases 20 national pavilions, providing product specification by sector and country. The show will run until Tuesday, October 25th 2011.

"We thank the UAE government for its continued support as we work together to position the region as a hub for the design industry. With the GCC real estate market stabilizing, there will continue to be strong demand for interiors and fit-out in the region. Index caters to this demand by bringing together products and services from over 900 international exhibitors," said Paula Al Chami, Event Director, Index, in an emailed press release.

"After 21 successful years, Index returns on a larger scale by introducing a brand new line up of six product-specific shows under the Index brand including Furnishings, InRetail, Kitchen & Bathroom, Lighting, Outdoor Living and Textiles and a host of exciting events and features," added Al Chami.

Index 2011 is currently showcasing an impressive line up of top international manufacturers and brands, bringing their latest products, trends and design innovation to this region. Key exhibitors at Index include, 4 Homes, Airstar Space Lighting, Alpha Crystal, Amber Gallery, Archimedia, Avenue, B.LAB ITALIA, Delta Faucet, DL D?cor, Ecosmart, EGO Paris, Fabbian Illuminazione, Garden Light, Gea Luce, Hansgrohe, Harbour Outdoor, Harem, ILID, Jardin d'Ulysse, Johnson Tiles, Jordi Mila, Kafka Goes, Pink, Kermi, Kohler, Kollektion, Laufen, Lelievre, Leto Appliances, LP Vietnam, Maison D'Art,, Mattar Bin Lahej, Neil Corder, Nobilis, PF Emirates, Poliedrica, Porada Arredi, Preciosa, RAME, Razzeti Errepi, Rivoli Silks, Roca, Rubelli, Scavolini, Silvan Floors, The Horologist, The Kontainer, Toto, Trevi, Ulusal and Zeitraum.

Index 2011 comes at a time where the industry is stabilizing from the economic downturn and is witnessing a steady growth in the GCC. Index recently announced from a report with Ventures Middle East that in the GCC $4.5bn was spent on interiors and fit-outs in 2010, and is expected to increase by more than a quarter (26%) this year. The report, which focused on the four key pillars of the real estate sector - commercial, hospitality, residential and retail - also showed that interiors accounts for up to 30% of GCC real estate project values, according to organizers.

Highlights of the inauguration day include the launch of the InRetail Summit, bringing together the biggest retailers across the MENA region to speak about innovation as a solution to today's market challenges and highlight important retail projects.

As part of the Festival of Interior Design, Index hosted the public yesterday (October 22nd), which also featured the Festival of Interior Design (FoID) Congress, an exclusive one day Congress at Index which attracted constituents of the interior design and architectural industry. Also during the first day, Sinmar Al-Said of Internal Line Interior Design was announced as the winner of the Index Majlis Design Competition. The competition featured six designers who designed a contemporary Majlis, showcasing their vision of the traditional Arabic space with a modern, cutting edge twist.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.