The 6th Winter International Trade Exhibition for Textiles and Light Industries which has become a major annual meeting for all commercial sectors in the Middle East-Gulf region opens on Sunday showcasing all family requirements of readymade fabrics carpets furniture gifts antiques handicrafts leather items, household items, kitchenware, decorative items and the latest developments in the light industrial sector across the Kingdom.

During the exhibition period there will be opportunities to learn about the developments in Saudi industries related to winter supplies especially as the Kingdom remains in the forefront of the GCC countries in terms of the demand for textiles and fabrics backed up with population growth and diversified development programs.

Businessmen and traders consider the exhibition as a valuable opportunity for local and international companies for marketing their products.

There is a wide international participation in the show which reflects Dhahran Expo's provision of multiple options for visitors. The participating countries include the UAE Qatar Kuwait Bahrain Egypt Malaysia China India and Pakistan.

Dhahran Expo stressed that the development of the Saudi industrial and trade sector helps to open the way for many foreign investments to identify investment opportunities as the exhibition is one of the most important communication points between investors and local market.

It is expected that the number of Saudi factories will increase by 2 to 6 percent during the next five years with investments estimated at SR2 trillion.

Import demand of the Saudi textile market which is estimated to be about 4 billion is increasing by 13-15 percent annually. Also investments in textiles and fabrics in the domestic market recorded 10.67 billion at the end of 2014. Investment opportunities are increasing since then with new international investors studying the market prospects.

The seven day expo held at Dhahran International Exhibition Centre is recognized an integrated fair in the Eastern Province one of the most important commercial and industrial areas of the Kingdom.