A pick-up in activity in prime-location commercial property has stirred up business for office interior companies and suppliers but government orders remain slow, they said on the sidelines of the Office Exhibition on Monday.
“The market got better in August last year compared to the boom years but we saw the biggest improvement this April, business has doubled,” said Khalid Mohammad, managing director of Eam furniture industry.
Most growth came from private sector orders while public sector orders remained slow as the government adjusts its budget plans, office suppliers said.
“The second half of the year should be better,” said Mostafa Shalaby, key accounts manager at Juma Al Majid Office Equipments, adding that they are relying on government orders.
Some companies are looking at increasing their international business until the UAE’s commercial real estate sector recovers.
“We are trying to increase our exports. We are now present in Iraq, Libya, Turkey and Africa. Exports make up 18 to 20 per cent of our business and we are trying to increase that,” Shalaby said.
