DOHA: Qatar's much awaited interior design and furniture exhibition, International Furniture and Design Exhibition and Awards (INFDEX), will open on October 21 at Doha International Exhibition Centre. The third edition of the four-day event will draw the attention of the international furniture and design industry to Qatar with the participation of some of the best known manufacturers from around the world.
INFDEX showcases the latest in world-class home and office furniture, interior design, art, lighting, fabrics and landscaping. Visitors can experience the best in the industry today and see what's on the horizon.
The event will guarantee the participants direct access to the $40bn residential and commercial interior design market in Qatar. "With more than 300 office, residential, hotel, hospital, school and other projects now under development in Qatar, it is no surprise astute exhibitors and sponsors see INFDEX as an unrivalled opportunity to gain market share in one of the few countries that is defying the global economic crisis," said Karim Zarka, CEO of Qatar Expo, the organisers of the event.
"The response from the exhibitors is already strong with many repeat bookings from last year as well as new companies signing up."
Several of Italy's legendary interior designers and furniture manufacturers are set to take centre stage at the event, giving the Qatari furniture and furnishings industry its first glimpse of the latest design trends. The high-profile furniture designers taking part in the exhibition include Italian design house S Clairy, worldwide bedroom furniture stylists Sealy, Lebanon's Mosaic Marbles and a host of local design trendsetters led by Khazana, Fine Art Furniture, Pergola Design and Zordy. Sixty percent of the exhibitors will be from Qatar.
"We provide the very best in Italian furniture design to architects, designers and direct customers. We hope to establish successful and effective relationships in the Qatari market and we can offer Qatari customers the most exclusive designs and a bespoke service," said a spokesperson for the Italian Furniture Association.
The INFDEX Creative Awards, which gave impetus to 2008 INFDEX, will be given out this year also. This year the organisers have added more awards - for Best Innovative Designed Stand, Best Environmental (Green) Stand and Best Use of Stand Space. "Sponsors and judges will be looking for innovative ideas that really work in attracting visitors to step into the exhibition stands. The Best Environmental Stand award will be given to the pavilion with the most eco-friendly products," he said.
"Our INFDEX Best Young Designer is a competition looking to discover and reward talented young, local designers. The award, once again generously sponsored by Qatari Diar, gives student designers an opportunity to demonstrate their talents and designs to the industry. Following great success among young Qatari designers in 2008, this year we are opening the award to student designers from other countries," Zarka said.
By Huda N V
© The Peninsula 2009
