“The exhibits are all impressive and delightful,” said Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s acting Secretary-General Adnan H. Mandourah, who opened the event.

Italy has a strong presence among overseas exhibitors with 27 of its companies.

The occasion also marked the inauguration of the Italian pavilion, attended by Mandourah and Alberto Drudi, president of the Chamber of Commerce Pesaro e Urbino.

Italy’s acting Consul General Giovanni Nocera said after a long time a large Italian delegation was participating in an expo here. Egypt and Iran also have their own pavilions.

Individual companies are exhibiting from Europe, the Far East and the rest of the Arab world.

Most of the overseas exhibitors were upbeat about their participation and hope to establish their presence in the Kingdom through business and partnership deals.

The exhibition is being held concurrently with a display of paintings organized by Naiel Arts Consultant in cooperation with Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), organizers of the event.

The exhibition is being held at a time when the Kingdom has embarked on the largest investment program in the history of the Gulf.

A total budget of $400 billion has been allocated for the development of infrastructure over the next decade. A large chunk of that budget has been allocated for residential and leisure accommodation as well as offices and hotels.

"Such ongoing developments result in a greater demand for furniture, furnishings and interior decor, and the purpose of the exhibition is to offer all these under one roof," said Zahoor Siddique, exhibitions manager for ACE.

The exhibition is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily till Thursday.