Gulf Construction Online - Expo sets new record

Saudi Build 2008

Saudi Build continues to attract both regional and international exhibitors.

Saudi Build 2008

Expo sets new record

Saudi Build 2008, which is now marking its 20th anniversary, opens this month in Riyadh with a record number of international participants.

01 October 2008

As its 20th edition marks a milestone in its history, Saudi Build, the international construction technology and building materials exhibition, is poised to open this month (October 26 to 29) with a record international participation.

The show will be held at the Riyadh Exhibition Centre in Riyadh, in conjunction with Saudi Stone 2008, the 11th international stone and stone technology show.
The event, which was started two decades ago by Riyadh Exhibitions Company, continues its exemplary role as Saudi Arabia’s largest construction technology platform serving the kingdom’s high-powered construction sector.
More than 400 companies from 24 countries will present more than 1,000 brand names and a wide array of the latest in building materials, products and technology, and construction tools and equipment, as well as the finest display of stone, marble, and granite showcased under Saudi Stone 2008.
The show features 14 national pavilions from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including Austria, China, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, Portugal, The Netherlands, Turkey, UAE and the UK. They are joined by other leading manufacturers from Australia, Brazil, Korea, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.
An anticipated 15,000 professional visitors from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and outside are expected to attend the show. The visitor profile will comprise contractors, consultants, project owners, project managers, real estate developers, building material and equipment traders and importers, engineers, government officials, and municipalities.
Saudi Build’s growth over the years has clearly reflected Saudi Arabia’s overall remarkable development in infrastructure construction and real estate projects. Commenting on the country’s vibrant economy and thriving construction sector, Riyadh Exhibitions Company’s media and marketing manager Hani Habib says: “The fast-paced growth of Saudi Arabia’s construction sector has created a refreshing array of lucrative investment opportunities for construction firms from across the world, drawing remarkable international investor attention.”
In the electricity sector alone, he points out, more than $100 billion is being invested, while the housing sector has been injected with around $6 billion.
Similarly, $5 billion is being spent on hospitals and roads, while $2 billion is going towards schools and universities. Further billions of dollars are being channelised into massive commercial and tourism development projects, and also into the country’s fast expanding industrial sector. Presently, hotel and office building projects in Riyadh alone are valued at over $1 billion, he says.
At the show, Saudi Arabia will continue to hold the largest presence, with participation from as many as 200 of the country’s established manufacturers and suppliers to the construction industry. These include renowned names such as Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), Al Zamil, Al Rajhi Steel, Saudi Ceramics and Saudi Marble.
China, which is Saudi Arabia’s second largest trading partner after the US and a giant exporter of building materials and equipment, will continue its high power drive towards the kingdom’s market. The country boasts the largest international pavilion comprising a total of 61 companies originating from at least 10 of China’s most prominent provinces.
The German pavilion has traditionally been one of the most prominent international groups at Saudi Build. This year, a total of 17 companies will participate under the German national pavilion, bringing the latest in construction technology, and looking forward to meet fellow professionals at the show.
One of the kingdom’s top trading partners, Italy remains committed to Saudi Build and will this year bring a large delegation of some of the most important companies from the region of Emilia-Romagna comprising a total of 19 companies.
A regular at Saudi Build is the Austrian pavilion, which will feature 10 companies with exhibits ranging from precision tools to laminated timber beams, electric sockets and wall and floor coverings.
Egypt makes its largest ever participation at Saudi Build this year, bringing together a group of leading Egyptian companies displaying sanitary ware, PVC doors and windows, as well as marble products and sawing machines.
The Greek pavilion will bring its best in aluminium panels, roof tiles, rolling shutter systems, and industrial fencing.
Keen on taking its share of the booming Saudi construction sector, Malaysia boasts a full-scale national pavilion at Saudi Build this year, featuring 12 distinguished companies.
Making its debut at the show, Portugal will bring the excellent tradition and know how of the Portuguese construction and building materials industry. The Portuguese exhibitors will be presenting various products and systems, including residential and industrial climate control and energy systems; sanitary ware; hospital equipment in stainless steel; ceramic tiles; wood-based products; insulation products; PVC and ABS edges; and miscellaneous construction services.
Turkey, whose annual participation at the show has become quite a tradition, will join Saudi Build/Stone 2008 with an official delegation comprising 22 companies.
Leading the GCC’s non-Saudi participation, the UAE pavilion will once again be one of the largest and most impressive pavilions at Saudi Build. This year’s UAE pavilion will feature 20 companies mostly representing national industries as well as UAE-based international manufacturers and suppliers of world leading brands.
The show will be open daily from October 26 to 29 for trade and professional visitors only, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The morning session on October 29 will be reserved for female professionals and businesswomen.