Amid the festive backdrop of the holiday season, the second edition of The Home Show opened at the Oman International Exhibition Centre OIEC), Seeb, here yesterday, showcasing an unmatched range of products and services catering to every customer\'s idea of a dream home. Sultan bin Hamdoon al Harthy, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, led a number of government and private sector dignitaries at the formal inauguration of the Sultanate\'s signature trade expo on the ideal home environment. The three-day event, which runs from December 18 to 20, 2012, has been organised by Global Exhibitions & Conferences (GEC), Oman\'s leading exhibition and conference management company. The Ministry of Housing has extended its patronage to the show, which is also backed by AHK German Industry and Commerce, Oman Housing Bank, German University of Technology in Oman (GUTech), and Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC). With a record number of exhibitors participating in this year\'s event, The Home Show 2012 is set to replicate the resounding success of last year\'s maiden expo. This time, exhibitor numbers are up 30 per cent, while several new product and service categories are being represented as well. Attracted by the huge appeal of last year\'s event, a number of prominent real estate developers and upscale property brands have signed up to showcase their offerings. The list includes Tibiaan Properties, The Wave Muscat, Better Homes, Al Khonji Real Estate, Alargan Towell Investment Company, and Engel & Volkers. Also taking part are leading financial institutions, including Oman Arab Bank, BankDhofar and Oman Housing Bank, which are offering attractive home finance schemes to make it possible for customers to realise their homeownership dreams. Significantly, this year\'s show features an unprecedented array of products and services catering to every aspect of the home environment and home ownership experience. The range includes kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sets, walls and floor coverings, lighting fixtures and accessories, doors and windows, furniture and furnishings, home appliances, and energy efficiency and smart home solutions, amongst a host of other categories of merchandise. Also looking to make the most of the opportunity afforded by this popular show are service providers offering everything from professional services, construction and contracting, home loans; interior design, garden and landscaping services, and so on. Showcasing their latest products and designs are Gautier, Oasis Lifestyle - ID Design, German Interior Brands (GIB), Kelebek Turkish Furniture, and Elite Furniture. Local paint brands Sadolin Paints, Jotun Paints and Berger Paints are also displaying their wares. Times Of Oman