UAE firms are expected to increase exports of local products and services to Saudi Arabia's booming construction sector over the coming year, as a result of their recent participation at Saudi Build 2011, the Middle East's largest construction and building material exhibition in the region. An extensive business matchmaking event, organized by Dubai Exports, an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), witnessed a strong response from Saudi Build key buyers and investors. The event served as an important venue for mutual trade cooperation between companies from both countries including discussion of government facilities and services provided by Dubai Exports. Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Exports, said Saudi Arabia's booming building and construction sector provided potential opportunities for UAE exports. “Our successful participation at Saudi Build signifies a continuous growth of the country's exports in the construction and building materials sectors. The business matchmaking event, one of our supports to UAE companies, provided them with a venue to meet with key buyers which aims to increase their export opportunities in regional markets such as Saudi Arabia,” he said. The matchmaking event attended by 35 local companies and more than 35 major Saudi buyers, resulted to overwhelming sales and business leads of export opportunities. Among the local companies that participated in the event were based in Dubai Investment Park and other companies from the manufacturing sector.
