INDEX 2001: business as usual.

Despite escalating tensions in Afghanistan, other Central Asian countries and the Middle East, INDEX 2001 interior design exhibition in Dubai opened as planned on 3rd October.

Inaugurating the four-day event, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also UAE defence minister, pronounced the event "business as usual".

Accompanied by top government and business leaders, Sheikh Rashid said: "the international situation has had no major impact on business here."

Visitor numbers increased 4% to 27,590, according to INDEX 2001 organisers. There was also a slight increase of regional visitors from outside Dubai, chiefly from Gulf Co-operation Council countries.

Exposition areas expanded.

Exposition areas were expanded for the 2001 event with the addition of two extra halls, each divided into A and B sections.

Dubai authorities see the larger presentations as confidence which global players in the interior design sector are showing in the underlying strength of the economies of the Arabian Gulf.

One Dubai group used the occasion to announce large expansion plans while an Egyptian furnishing giant unveiled plans for a new UAE showroom.

By the end of the first day, a local furniture manufacturer signed two separate contracts for the export of 14,500 office chairs and seating structures.

Presentations from global players.

On the same day, an American Islamic artwork firm announced a contract with hotels in Mecca and Medina - the holiest cities in the Moslem world, for the supply of artware.

A British producer of electric fires and surrounds sealed an agreement appointing an agent from Dubai, the commercial capital of the UAE.

Pavilions prove pleasing to the eye

Hong Kong among top six.

The British pavilion appeared most pleasing to the eye in visual terms, featuring as it did a theme harking back to the Tower of London and London Bridge in period décor. It was obvious that the exhibitors had collaborated with a professional set designer to achieve the desired effect.

The Italian pavilion was also a favourite among visitors, with a modernistic approach to interiors design.

The Hong Kong pavilion was also among the top six favourites, though somewhat distant in Hall 7, and quite a way from the reception area. In general, the public visitors were pleased with the competitive prices on offer.

The general trend among furniture buyers was for classical and traditional pieces for the home, both in western and arabesque styles.

"The Office" a favoured theme.

The office was another favourite theme, with the accent on modern and functional options, which could be used in a contemporary setting.

Exhibitors included shop fitters and many of those taking part were tightly competitive, with presentations from 53 countries. Italy provided most of their number, with 235 stands out of a total of 934, up from 840 in 2000.

from special correspondent Shawqi A. Zayani, Dubai