Top construction expo 'Big 5' opens in Dubai

Dubai: Leading international players from the construction industry are showcasing their latest technologies and products for the next three days at the ‘Big 5 construction show’, which opened in Dubai on Monday.

According to TradeArabia News Service, as the largest event for the building and construction sector in the Middle East, the ‘Big 5’ is the preferred launching platform of new technologies for thousands of manufacturers, said the event organisers, DMG events.

With $67 billion worth of new contracts awarded in the GCC in the first half, a 53 per cent increase over the second half of 2012, the international companies see the Middle East construction market as the ideal platform to introduce new technologies and solutions to the industry, the report said.

Companies from around the world, including India, Germany, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus, as well as local UAE brands, will present their latest innovations at show in a bid to capitalise on the significant market opportunities.

A number of companies exhibiting at The Big 5 are investing in the region for the first time, including Germany’s RGenau Industries, who will launch a range of new surface technologies for the sanitary industry.

“Our company considers the construction industry in Dubai and the MENA region a very strong business sector, as current building projects show,” remarked Sebastian Schäfer, from RGenau.

“We chose The Big 5 as the first trade fair we will ever exhibit at because we see it as an excellent platform to introduce our new products and to establish business contacts,” he stated.

Other global companies will also be testing the Middle East waters for the first time in 2013, including HP International from India, launching their entire product range for the international market, and Rabel Systems from Cyprus, who will be introducing their new super thermal series, which help contribute towards zero energy buildings.

Many longstanding players in the regional market continue to see the benefits of exhibiting at The Big 5. The UAE’s IBS Ramfoam has exhibited at the event since 2011, and will also be launching new products this year.

Commercial director Tim Mulqueen said: “We invested heavily in 2013, having brought to the UAE some of the world’s leading machinery in order for us to now manufacture here. Our objective is to provide an integrated solution from design, material selection, prototyping and development to volume production, delivering a complete service to all of our customers."

"There will be an estimated $5 trillion spent in the construction industry within the next four years. The UAE is really back and open for business," he noted.

Andy White, the group event director, The Big 5, said: “The event has become synonymous with launching new products and innovations into the market, but to see so many international companies seeking out this opportunity for the first time this year is testament to the strength of the Middle East marketplace.”

The Big 5 will run from 25-28 November at Dubai World Trade Centre, with Middle East Concrete and PMV Live taking place alongside, providing access to all information across the concrete, plant, machinery and vehicle sectors of the industry.