Manama: Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), inaugurated the 35th edition of the Autumn Fair, in the presence of guests and officials, at Exhibition World Bahrain. The event will take place until February 1, and is organised by Informa Markets Bahrain.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Autumn Fair has been a cornerstone event of the retail sector in the Kingdom since its inception in 1989. Annually, it attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors from around the world. This year's edition will feature over 600 exhibitors from 20 countries, offering visitors an opportunity to explore a wide range of products, including fashion, accessories, books, perfumes, jewellery, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more.
This year, the Autumn Fair introduces several new services and attractions, including a larger exhibition space of 22,500 square metres to accommodate the growing demand of exhibitors and visitors alike. Additionally, dedicated international pavilions representing 12 countries, as well as sections for jewellery displays and locally produced products from Bahrain, have been allocated.
Dana Al Saad, Deputy CEO for Resources and Projects at the BTEA, expressed delight in hosting the fair at Exhibition World Bahrain. She emphasized the government's commitment to supporting such fairs as part of efforts to stimulate economic growth and enhance Bahrain's position on the global tourism map, noting that the event is a vital platform reflecting innovation and diversity by attracting a wide range of exhibitors and visitors from various countries.
She further added that the government's support for these events aligns with their vision to enhance cultural and commercial exchange. The dedicated Bahrain Export pavilion showcases local products, contributing to expanding cooperation and economic partnerships with various countries. The intention is to continue collaboration with partners to achieve more successes in this year's edition, reinforcing Bahrain's position as a leading economic and tourism hub.
Mohammed Ebrahim, General Manager of Informa Markets Bahrain, stated that they are pleased to organise a new edition of The Autumn Fair, a strategic annual event providing an innovative retail platform. The 35th edition focuses on enhancing the visitor experience by allocating more space and integrating new technologies for product displays and audience interaction, improving the experience for exhibitors and visitors of all ages.
He added that they look forward to offering a unique experience through this year's event, which has become one of the region's major shopping events. There is also excitement about exploring more opportunities to contribute to the development of the retail sector and promote trade exchange between Bahrain and the world. Ebrahim expressed gratitude to Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, for her support and encouragement of such events, impacting the tourism and commercial sector in Bahrain.