Fatima Muhammad Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The third annual “The Big 5 Saudi” event kicked off here yesterday (Saturday) inaugurated by Jeddah Mayor Dr. Hani Abu Ras. The four-day show spanning two complete halls, with an area of 10,000 m3 each, hosts more than 550 exhibitors from 36 countries showcasing a huge breadth of new technologies and products from heavy machinery to fit-outs. Sixty percent of exhibitors are from abroad hoping to find more opportunities in the Saudi market specially after crises that left some countries struggling. Luca Baronchelli from ItalMesh of Italy said that after the construction crisis in UAE, they have decided to move to Saudi Arabia. “We have been operating in the Middle East for five years and we have worked on major projects in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, now we want to produce our high quality products for the Saudi market.” Italy and Turkey are the main exhibiting countries. Speaking about the Turkish participation Cagil Ener, vice chairman of Demirsan, said the Turkish-Saudi cooperation has helped the private sector approach the Saudi market and increase profit. The company, which was heading to Europe and was doing well in Greece before the crisis, is now seeking more clients from the Saudi market and is approaching also other GCC countries. Spain was also present at the event, presenting construction options for Saudis looking for new methods in roofing. Rabie Shalita, a sales representative for Tejas Cobert, said that though they have been introducing roofs made of clay just like Western styles in Saudi for years, yet they were not popular in the past. “Only in the last 10 years that these roofs started to be used in compound constructions and in some palaces. Now however more designers and clients are demanding clay roofing even in small villas and houses,” Shalita added. Talaat Abdul Miniem, western region manager of Al-Zamil Industry, trade and transport, said that their water tanks made of molded polyethylene are being more popular now. The containers proved to be healthy to store water. The company, which started producing the tanks back in 1998, is becoming now one of the leading companies in Saudi Arabia and the region. “We are providing water tanks in local market and we are exporting them to GCC countries and also to Egypt, Syria and Jordan,” Abdul Miniem said. “The influence of the Saudi construction market on the industry as a whole is unquestionable,” said Andy White, group event director, The Big 5. “We launched the Saudi event in 2011 with unprecedented success and have seen consistent year-on-year growth with international companies representing a majority share of our exhibitors.” “We see a real interest from the international market, with many looking to find out more about the market, key trends as well as present their products and services to potential buyers,” he noted. Saudi Arabia's economy is forecast to remain high in the coming five years and is expected to spend $613 billion in the construction industry, making it one of the most attracting destinations for foreign construction investment. The commissioned report, Saudi Construction Market: Unveil Opportunities Ahead, revealed that power & water and real estate representing the most significant sectors of current construction in the Kingdom, with 32.9 percent and 32.2 percent of the total respectively.
