RIYADH: Gexpo, a Riyadh-based company with more than a decade’s worth of experience across the creative industries, is organizing “Made in Design,” said to be the largest gathering of female designers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, here at the Burj Rafal Kempinksi. With more than 200 local and regional brands on display, the three-day event, which was inaugurated on Monday evening, is expected to attract 15,000 visitors, according to the organizers. Speaking to Arab News on the sideline of the mega event on Tuesday, Ghada Al-Rashid, Gexpo managing director, said: “As the region’s largest consumer goods market, Saudi Arabia has yet to host events of such scale, though Gexpo is working to make such exhibitions a regular feature.” Asked if the event was to help empower female designers and businesswomen from the region, Al-Rashid told Arab News: “Involving women in the workforce is central to the transformation of the Saudi economy. Gexpo is therefore very keen to organize events that showcase the talents of Saudi women.” “Activating 50 percent of the workforce through providing them with opportunities and expositions is an important part of this task,” she said. “In the coming months Gexpo will continue to organize and host events within the Kingdom to give exposure to the local talents.” Al-Rashid further highlighted how the event’s industry in the Kingdom has ballooned since the announcement of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify every aspect of Saudi life. “We are trying to channel this in a constructive way, by highlighting the great talent of local designers,” she said. Earlier, opening the event, Princess Sara bin Musaid bin Abdul Aziz said: “The event illustrates the human capital of the region’s businesswomen. It highlights the growing achievements of our women, developing trend-savvy products while not compromising their rich heritage and tradition,” she added. Gexpo’s event will embrace modern and innovative GCC-based businesses whose work creatively embraces the cultural diversity of the region. Made in Design is the second edition of the exhibition, where visitors can hope to make the most of the lifestyle platform on display at the event, showcasing furniture and home accessories, the latest fashion merchandise, beauty and perfumery products, arts and crafts and jewelry products. The event is open to the public from 4 to 11 p.m. before it ends on Wednesday.