The Saudi Building & Interiors Exhibition (SBIE'10) ended at the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events on Wednesday with participants and exhibitors expressing satisfaction at the results that they had achieved during the event, which was the 20th comprehensive showcase for the industry. Many of the exhibitors said they look forward to joint ventures, deals and orders from big companies, and would come again. The expo registered over 24,500 visitors -businessmen, traders and professionals of the industry and many diplomats. SBIE'10 had a record participation of more than 500 international and national exhibitors. A high-profile seminar was held alongside the comprehensive showcase for the industry in which speakers gave technical presentations on the latest trends in construction technology, architecture, decors and furnishings. Nearly 85 percent of the exhibitors achieved the purpose of their participation, 70 percent confirmed their return at the 2011 edition scheduled from April 25-28, 2011. Mary Lynn Landgraf, senior international trade specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), US Department of Commerce, said the response was just as good as last year. “We are in discussion for big projects, such as on the Jeddah beachfront, and several projects in the hospitality sector. Five of the 10 participating US companies are newcomers. Nukhet Uygur, owner of New Jersey-based Nuko Creations, producer of home and fashion accessories, and luxurious handmade home textiles, said the first time participation has resulted in fruitful negotiations with leading hotels, big stores, and private villas. “We have been taking part in exhibitions all over Europe , where a lot of Saudi visitors show interest in our products, so we decided to come,” said Jaeger, research and development manager of Sotralentz Habitat of France,” whose principal activity is waste water treatment, and water tanks building. “We are to conclude a number of contracts, and we will come again to the show,” he added. Homer Sayyad, president of Nexcon, Canada, which has developed a new technique for load bearing wall system, said Saudi Arabia has a relatively strong economy, and Nexcon participated for the first time. “We received good response and will soon have an agent in Jeddah,” he added. Mohan K. Sekhar, managing director, DISI, manufacturer of toilet doors, said their maiden participation had proved fruitful. “We are heading towards agencyship in Jeddah. We are happy and will come again,” he added. Edwin P. Gonzales, sales manager, Saudi Pipe systems Co., Jeddah, said the response was “excellent, much better than participation in other places.” “We expect big orders,” he added. Aymen Ben Abderrahmen, marketing specialist, Obeikan Technical Fabrics Co. Ltd., Riyadh, said, “We are participating for the third time, which shows, there are gains to be made. It is a good platform for marketing, and we are happy.” Talat Mahmood, manager, ECM Division, Al Manara Electric Trading Co., based in Riyadh, said the expo is getting better each year.
