Booming construction activities in Saudi Arabia fuel demand for furniture imports

Sixth edition of Decofair provides gateway to most buoyant interiors market in Middle East

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 May 2014. With $784 billion worth of construction projects currently underway in Saudi Arabia , the market offers strong growth potential to international interior and design companies. Major infrastructure developments and real estate investments are contributing to the buoyancy of the local interiors market, fueling demand for furniture imports.

Providing a gateway to this lucrative market opportunity is Decofair 2014, Saudi Arabia’s only premium international furniture and interior design show. The sixth edition of Decofair takes place from 10th - 13th November 2014 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events and organisers say international and local exhibitor interest has already exceeded last year, with many well known international brands having confirmed their presence at the show for the first time. 

Leading interior brands and key design distributors from Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia France and Denmark are among the early bookings. Confirmed exhibitors include brands such as BoConcept, Roche Bobois, Fendi Home, Kenzo Maison, Roberto Cavalli, Casa D’Argento, KA International, Dogtas, Hans Grohe, Roca and Scavolini. The major local distributors, including Al Bonian Group, Al Mutlaq, and Al Sorayai, will also have a presence at this year’s show.

“Saudi Arabia is the largest and fastest-growing construction market in the Gulf, and this is having a positive knock-on effect on the local interiors and furniture markets. Spending on furniture items is expected to grow 13.7% annually to 2017 . Currently, furniture imports in the Kingdom total $2.2bn. This is the most buoyant interiors market in the Middle East, and Decofair is the only credible design platform through which to access it,” said Naomi Barton, International Sales & Marketing Director, Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions.

Saudi Arabia’s promising outlook is being driven by government and private sector investments across all real estate segments. Increased spending on commercial, residential, hospitality and industrial real estate projects is forecast to continue until 2020 as the government seeks to develop the country’s socio-economic infrastructure. 

Upcoming mega-projects such as King Abdullah Economic City, Kingdom City and Jazan Economic City are well underway and positively impacting the local interiors market. Other iconic projects include the $40 bn Sudair Industrial City, $15 bn King Faisal University and $16 bn Jeddah Kingdom Tower.

Rising demand for housing is another factor contributing to the Kingdom’s construction boom. Recently, Saudi Arabia's Government launched ESKAN, a new scheme to provide housing aid to its citizens and a necessary policy to tackle the needs of the country’s growing middle class.

For the first time this year, Decofair will be co-located with the Saudi Real Estate & Investment Show, offering investors direct access to KSA’s real estate investment opportunities. 

“With the Saudi real estate market buoyed by strong internal growth drivers, the outlook looks extremely positive for interior and design companies wanting to access the Kingdom.  Decofair offers the world’s best design brands the only high-end platform in the Kingdom where they can meet the country’s key design professionals,” added Barton.  

Decofair 2014 covers the interiors industry from A to Z, providing exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their products and services in nine exhibition sectors: furniture, furnishings, flooring, accessories, lighting, textiles and soft furnishings, outdoor furniture, kitchen and bathroom products, and design and architectural services. 

Decofair is organised by Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions, a joint venture between the world’s largest event company Reed Exhibitions—a co-organiser of global design show Maison et Objet—and Sunaidi Expo, a division of Alfadl Group. The event runs from 10th – 13th November and is open to business, trade and selected consumer visitors. 

For more information, please visit www.decofair.com