THE FOUR day Arab Oil & Gas Show which was concluded recently in Dubai was the latest in a long line of top oil and gas industry events successfully hosted by the UAE.

The UAE has been actively promoting its attractions and a conference and exhibition centre for the Gulf region, a meeting point for the oil and gas industry's leading minds and technologies.

The Arab Oil & Gas Show attracted more than 4,300 visitors from 32 countries to the Dubai World Trade Centre, according to organisers International Conferences and Exhibitions.

More than 250 exhibitors from 40 countries displayed equipment and services related to the various aspects of the oil and gas industry with many of them showcasing the latest technology, sophisticated equipment, as well as supplies for safety and offshore production on oil and gas rigs throughout the Gulf and Middle East.

Visitor turnout also exceeded the previous show held in 1999, despite the shadow of the world crisis, said David Domoney, managing director of International Conferences and Exhibitions.

The show debuted several products, equipment and innovative technology for the oil industry for the first time in the Gulf and Middle East, allowing visitors to the exhibition to see the beneficial aspects of such products, he said.

Abu Dhabi is also well established as a conference and exhibition venue. Held every two years, the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) has grown rapidly since its inception in 1984. The most recent event, ADIPEC 2000, attracted 13,589 professional visitors, according to reports.

Some 60 per cent of space has already been booked for ADIPEC 2002 from October 13 to 16 next year, with the exhibition space expected to be bigger by 50 per cent from the 2000 edition.