With a remarkable turnout exceeding 65,000 visitors and the participation of nearly 350 productive families, craft pioneers, handicraft makers, and enabling and incubating entities, Asharqia Chamber concluded on Friday, September 4, 2026, the ninth edition of the “Crafts and Handicrafts Exhibition 2026,” held over four consecutive days at Dhahran Expo, under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness the Governor of the Eastern Province and honored by the attendance of His Highness the Deputy Governor.
The exhibition sought to consolidate the concept of self-employment, foster the spirit of entrepreneurship and private enterprise, and strengthen integration between the associations that incubate productive families and artisans, in revival of local heritage. The event witnessed a large public turnout, with visitors expressing their admiration for the quality and diversity of the products on display and praising the distinguished festive and organizational atmosphere that accompanied the exhibition throughout its duration.
Asharqia Chamber Chairman, Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Farraj, expressed his delight at the success achieved by the exhibition in its ninth edition and the remarkable turnout it witnessed, with visitor numbers reaching 65,000. Visitors were introduced to the products of productive families and the work of artisans and handicraft business owners, and through their purchases and engagement they contributed to supporting these groups and strengthening their presence as an active component and added value to the national economy.
Al-Farraj explained that the exhibition constituted an important marketing platform for the participants and helped generate financial returns for the pavilion owners, supporting the continuity of their projects and enhancing their ability to develop their businesses and secure sustainable sources of income. He affirmed that the “Crafts and Handicrafts Exhibition 2026” is an extension of Asharqia Chamber’s continued attention to the productive families sector, stemming from its belief in the sector’s great potential to contribute to supporting the economy, stimulating production and marketing activity, and creating new job opportunities for the various segments of society.
He noted that the Chamber is keen to consolidate its leadership in adopting high-quality community initiatives, being an integral part of society and responsible for contributing to its development and raising the level of its contribution in service of the national development journey. He pointed out that social responsibility receives special attention at the Chamber, which implements a wide range of programs, events, and initiatives with social and economic impact.
Al-Farraj noted that the exhibition was preceded by intensive preparations to ensure it appeared at the level it was known for throughout its four days, commending the efforts made by the working team in planning, organization, and execution, which contributed to presenting the event in a fitting manner. He pointed out that the rising number of participants from productive families, associations, and government entities reflects the positive impact achieved by the exhibition in its previous editions, alongside the awareness and economic programs the Chamber has delivered over the years, which have helped raise awareness among these groups and enable them to develop their businesses.
This year’s edition saw the participation of nearly 350 productive families, craft pioneers, handicraft makers, and enabling and incubating entities. The exhibition’s pavilions hosted nearly 166 male and female artisans, 65 from knitting, fashion, and clothing activities, 32 from perfume and incense activities, 47 from coffee and beverage activities, and 37 civil associations and incubating, enabling, and supporting entities. Participants also received specialized supporting training programs delivered by the Chamber’s Social Responsibility Center, as part of their preparation for participation and to raise their readiness to benefit from the marketing opportunities provided by the exhibition.
To support the sustainability of productive families’ products and enhance their access to consumers after the exhibition ends, Asharqia Chamber provided a printed and electronic marketing guide containing the names of the participating artisans, handicraft business owners, and productive families, along with a brief description of their products and their contact details and addresses. The guide enables visitors to refer back to the families and contact them in the future to order their products, extending the exhibition’s marketing impact beyond the end of its activities.
The “Crafts and Handicrafts Exhibition” is one of the initiatives Asharqia Chamber has adopted since 2015, with the aim of supporting productive families and craft and handicraft business owners in the region, elevating their products and projects, and enhancing their contribution to the national economy, by providing suitable marketing platforms and outlets that allow them to display their products and reach wider segments of consumers, contributing to the development of their businesses and enhancing their sustainability.