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The UAE and GCC interiors markets are now almost on a par with the EU, US and Japanese markets. A combination of high GDP per capita, businesses relocating to the UAE and high number of construction projects ensure that there is demand for furniture and interior products. The total forecast spend on interiors (including curtains, walling, doors, windows, fit out, furniture, fixtures and equipment) in the GCC is estimated to be US$47.1 billion in 2009 and US$56.9 billion in 2010.

For 19 years, INDEX has been the meeting place for the interior design industry bringing together interiors manufacturers from across the world to showcase their products and share best practice and new ideas. The focus of INDEX 2009 is on design and the business of design. Set to take place from 14-17 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre, INDEX 2009 will be more design-led than ever before, and will put Dubai firmly in the centre of the international calendar of must-attend interior design events.

INDEX 2009 showcases some of the industry’s leading products and designs from high profile companies from across the world  - including Flou, Serralunga, Haute Material, Zanotta, Vitra, Kartell, Armani, Paola Lenti, Villeroy & Boch, Longhi, Rexite, Porada, Andreu World and Colleccion Alexandra. 

New features include Design Talks, an informal and free seminar programme on the show floor; Daniel Holguin’s and Victoria Simes' Jewellery 4 Architecture live design competition, the Contemporary Majilis Competition and the VIP Programme.

Design Talks is a programme of informal seminar-style events that will take place on the show floor. These practical talks will address some of the key challenges facing the industry, in addition to providing expert insight on topical issues. INDEX is bringing in keynote speakers from across the world to share their experiences.  For example, Victoria Redshaw of Scarlet Opus will be speaking on Trend Forecasting, a powerful tool that is increasingly used by forward-thinking interior designers to provide a competitive edge, inform their decision making and inspire creativity. Ventures Middle East, one of the GCC’s leading market research and consultancies, will be presenting their latest market data regarding the size of the interiors industry and forthcoming projects.

Daniel Holguin’s jewelery 4 architecture feature is a live design competition taking place on the show floor. Born in Mexico, Daniel graduated from Columbia University and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and went on to work for the Rockwell Group. He now runs his own architecture business in New York City. He will co-teach the workshop with his partner Victoria Simes. Victoria graduated from the Fashion Institution of Technology and subsequently worked for Zero Maria Cornejo and Victoria Bartlett. She now has her own jewellery collection called Saltalamacchia.

The Jewellery 4 Architecture design competition consists of 15 students from local Universities who will create design objects that can work for the ceiling (i.e. lamps, chandeliers), the wall (i.e. corner piece, hanging piece), the floor (i.e. sitting device, rug) and openings (doors, windows, etc). The students will be briefed on the first day of the show and will then be given unorthodox materials (including horse hair, plants, rope, rocks, minerals, spring wire) to make their design objects.

THE HOME OF DESIGN INNOVATION

Developments in the construction sector have an impact on other sectors that are intrinsically linked to it i.e. new construction provides opportunities for the interiors sector and its sub-sectors, as well as the furniture sector. Despite some projects being on hold as a result of the economic downturn there are still massive business opportunities for interiors companies in the Gulf region. The total forecast spending on interior projects (including curtain walling, doors, windows, canopy & skylights, stone cladding – façade, swimming pools, garbage disposal, window cleaning, parking management, lifts, sanitary fittings, light fittings, external lighting, car park, landscaping, signage, kitchen, laundry equipment, fit out, furniture, fixtures and equipment) in all six GCC countries is estimated to be US$47.1 billion in 2009 and US$56.9 billion in 2010.

Official figures show that imports of furniture and interiors products to the Gulf region (which exceeded US$6.5 billion in 2006) are rising at a significant rate. The Middle East interiors market is now almost on a par with well-established markets such as the EU, the US and Japan. A growing number of businesses relocating to the UAE, the wealth and the ongoing development of the region have ensured that there is an on-going demand for furniture and interior products. 

A large number of commercial and residential buildings, hotels, retail outlets and mixed-use developments will reach completion this year, and the “refit market” of existing buildings also provides a growing market segment. A staggering US$37.3 billion worth of interior projects will enter the UAE market in 2009, with an additional US$42.9 billion entering the following year.

General imports account for around 90% of consumption in the UAE, with China, India, the US, Japan, Germany, the UK and Italy being the most important import partners. Of the US$3.3 billion UAE imports in 2008, general furniture represented US$1.11 billion, fabrics and floor coverings accounted for US$1.05 billion, lighting for US$742 million and ceramics for US$420 million. The UAE as well as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are net furniture importers and feature fast growing construction sectors, therefore offering great prospects of profits for furniture exporters, both in the low and high end markets.

Japan, South Korea, Thailand and India are the most important export destinations. A significant part of UAE exports consist of re-exported products (38.8%) - India was the top destination,
followed by Iran and Iraq, underpinning the country’s position as the third most important re-export centre in the world after Hong Kong and Singapore. As a sub-sector to the interiors market, the overall value of the furniture market in the UAE is estimated to be around US$397 million for 2009. The contract furniture market is estimated to claim half of all furniture sales in the country and as further sub-sector, the office segment accounts for 27% of the Emirates’ contract furniture market.

Did you know that the UAE Government has put the right fundamentals in place to support the country's role as the regional trading hub for interior products?

A virtually tax-free environment

Free trading platforms

A thriving hospitality sector

A strong performing tourism industry

A growing number of businesses relocating to the UAE

Together with the proximity to emerging markets like the GCC Region and the Indian sub-continent, these factors contribute to an ongoing demand for furniture and interior products.

General imports account for around 90% of consumption in the UAE. Of the US$ 3.3 billion total UAE imports in 2008, general furniture represented US$1.11 billion, fabrics and floor coverings accounted for US$1.05 billion, lighting for US$742 million and ceramics for US$420 million. The UAE as well as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are significant furniture importers and feature major construction sectors, therefore offering profitable prospects for furniture exporters, both in the low and high end markets.