The planned 720 projects currently underway across the Kingdom in sectors, such as education, health care, leisure, residential complexes and a host of commercial segments is an indication of how Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leader in the Gulf construction and property development sector. The Kingdom's domestic construction sector posted a real growth of 3.9 percent last year, when others in the region faced financial crisis, said Shahid Bhatti, Project Manager of Saudi Build & Saudi Stone-Tech at Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC). Saudi Build 2010 & Saudi Stone-Tech 2010, still a few months away, has already received numerous inquiries and advanced confirmations from both national and international clients, Bhatti said. “Saudi Build 2010 & Saudi Stone-Tech 2010 is already 70 percent booked with a 12 percent increase in international participation,” he said. Given the more positive outlook for the global economy, the expo can expect even more local and foreign investment into one of the Kingdom's strongest economic sectors, he said. The lucrative construction sector in Saudi Arabia has prompted national and international investors to invest in the Kingdom, he said. Saudi Arabia's current lineup of construction developments account for more than 25 percent of construction activities in the Gulf, making the Kingdom the region's largest construction market, he added. The growing anticipation for Saudi Build 2010, the 22nd International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, and Saudi Stone-Tech, the 13th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, affirms the heightened regional and international appeal of Saudi Arabia's construction and stone markets. To run simultaneously at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from October 18 to 21, 2010, Saudi Build & Saudi Stone-Tech are expected to draw thousands of professional trade visitors, he said. Riyadh Exhibitions Company, the organizer of the events, has confirmed the participation of 42 national pavilions, with Belgium, Egypt, the UK, France and Taiwan joining for the first time and contributing to a 12 percent increase in international participation. Saudi Build 2010 & Saudi Stone-Tech 2010 will be the largest business-to-business construction events in the Gulf attracting exhibitors from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
