RIYADH: The Middle East's largest outdoor construction show opened Monday on Al Khurais Road, Riyadh. The 50,000 square meter Saudi Construction Show displays products from leading international suppliers such as Zahid Tractors, JCB, Saudi Cranes and Abdullah Lateef Jamel. More than 80 percent of the equipment on display is supplied by Saudi Arabian companies. Thousands of purchasers and contractors for major projects across the region are expected to attend. “In a market that has seen a plethora of construction exhibitions crop up in recent years, the Saudi Construction Show focuses on hard construction,” said Saudi Construction Show Sales Manager Vipul Patel. “This show concentrates on the machinery aspect of the industry, which is the starting point of any major project. Construction in Saudi Arabia is a multi-billion-dollar business and this show provides a platform for both international and local companies to enter the market and meet its major players,” he added. According to government figures, the construction market in Saudi Arabia will reach values of $63 billion in 2012, spurred by investment in port, road, power and rail projects. In addition, it is expected the country will require 1.65 million new affordable houses by 2015. It is expected that the rising demand for heavy duty machinery and equipment such projects require will see this sector alone increase in value by 20 percent between 2011 and 2015. “As the fastest growing economy in the GCC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on its way to being recognized as one the world's major investment centers,” said the show's Sales Director Raz Islam. “This growth has, in turn, fuelled a number of major construction projects in the country.” The five-day show is partnered with Aramco and sponsored by Zahid Tractors, Altaaqa Alternative Solutions and CAT Rental. The exhibition features private meeting rooms for visitors to liaise directly with suppliers as well as the opportunity for purchasers to try the equipment first hand. One of the major highlights is that Zahid Tractors in partnership with Volvo will launch six trucks assembled in Saudi Arabia at the show. In addition to the heavy machinery exhibited, the show also features tire companies, lubricant manufactures, and suppliers in lighting and generators.
