Middle East office sector maturing at a rapid rate as industry growth rate continues to rise

Numerous multi-million dollar developments are in construction, with many more planned in the short to medium term. Among the many high profile projects is a six-building business hub which will form part of Emaar's Downtown Dubai Development – at the heart of the Burj Dubai project that will feature the world’s tallest tower, and close to another landmark development, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which will be home to many of the world’s leading financial institutions, it will offer state-of-the-art facilities.

In Doha, Qatar, UAE-based Dubai International Properties is constructing Dubai Towers, a mixed-use 80-storey tower development that will feature retail, office space, a five-star hotel and residential apartments.

Significantly, the influx of international companies has increased the demand for places of work that conform to global best practice, leading to the adoption of many new space planning techniques and technologies that not only address human needs, but have proven to have a beneficial effect on productivity and efficiency.

Consequently, factors such as lighting, acoustics, ergonomics and information technology have become more serious considerations in the office planning, design and implementation process.

The only dedicated showcase for office furniture, interiors and technology in the Middle East, The Office Exhibition, organised by dmg world media Dubai Ltd, attracts a consistently growing audience of interior designers, architects, end-users and specifiers looking to source and keep up to date with the ever evolving nature of the modern workplace.

“Office was specifically created to support the development of the commercial sector,” said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai Ltd. “The region’s many landmark projects, such as The Dubai International Financial Centre, which will be home to around 500 leading international organisations within three years, are demanding the very highest standards in office design and technology – we attract the world’s leading companies with the expertise to deliver against their expectations.”

In 2005, the Office Exhibition reached a new benchmark in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors. 141 companies representing 28 countries participated, with national groups from Italy, the UK, Portugal, Turkey and China, to name just a few. A total of 7,889 trade visitors attended the show, and this represented a massive 80% increase on the 2004 figures, clearly illustrating the vital importance of the sector.

“Nearly 60% of visitors this year came from outside the UAE,” said Paula Al Chami, Project Manager, The Office Exhibition. “In particular, there was a marked increase in the number from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Italy, Germany and the UK, evidence of the increased international interest in the exhibition.”

In a survey carried out after the show, 88% of exhibitors said that they had achieved most of their objectives, and were particularly impressed with the quality of people they met. “This was our first participation at The Office Exhibition,” said Francisco Duarte of FAMO from Portugal. “We felt that this was one event that it was imperative to have a presence at if we wanted to reach the decision makers and enter the GCC markets. The quality of visitors has been superb. Not only did we take bookings at the show, but without any follow up, we received calls on the second day to place orders. We will definitely be exhibiting again next year.”

This opinion was shared by many of the other exhibitors - Ziyad Abdullah of Burotime Office Furniture from Turkey said “What is very remarkable about this show is that you don’t have visitors flooding your stand taking brochures and catalogues. Instead, we saw quality visitors, serious architects, interior designers, contractors and businessmen ready to talk business.”

Regional businesses also found their participation a successful experience – Al Shamsi Enterprises LLC from the UAE were confident that the Office Exhibition would further strengthen their position in the market and increase their business in 2005/6.

There is already considerable demand for space at next year’s event, which takes place from June 4-6, 2006 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre. “Due to the success of this year’s event, we will be introducing a number of innovative new features in 2006,” said Al Chami. “This will further enhance the show’s focus and its value to the increased number of exhibitors who have already confirmed their participation, as well as to our trade visitors. These initiatives will be announced in the coming months.”