Gulf Construction Online

The Big 5

Debut entry

01 November 2010

OMAN’S Al Rawas Marble and Granite Company will target visitors from the Far East, India, Africa and the Middle East during its debut participation at The Big 5.

The company, which began commercial operations last year, also aims to use the event as a launch pad for its products on the Gulf market.

“The Big 5 will provide a good opportunity to introduce our company, though we are already exporting to the Gulf through our distributors and dealers,” says marketing manager Mohammad Musheer. “We believe the show attracts a good number of architects, developers, contractors, interior designers and distributors and we’d definitely like to widen our client base.”

At the show, the company intends to showcase products made with Omani natural marble such as tiles, slabs, steps and risers and customised products.

Al Rawas owns marble quarries and also processes and supplies Omani natural marble to the domestic and international market. Omani marble is distinctive, says Musheer, because of its unique colour and physical characteristics.

Musheer is pleased with the market response to the company’s products. “We have done remarkably well considering that we started operations quite recently,” he says.

Encouraged by the response and the prospects in the Omani market, the company has plans to invest in new machinery to increase its production capacity and expand its product line.

“Our domestic market has been registering positive growth on the strength of a good number of commercial and residential projects,” he says. “The migration of rural population to urban areas will encourage demand for housing and commercial projects. In addition to this, the government’s increasing focus on tourism will give rise to resorts, airports and other ventures.”

Musheer is equally positive about the construction industry in the GCC, listing Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman as the main markets for its products in the region.

Al Rawas has already been supplying its products for major projects in China, Korea, India, Cyprus, Iraq and Lebanon, besides the GCC region, mainly through its distributors. “Negotiations are on for certain large-size projects in the GCC region as well as in the Far East,” Musheer adds.

Spread over an area of 45,000 sq m in the Rusayl Industrial Estate, Al Rawas Marble and Granite Company has a staff strength of 213. Its products are displayed at its showroom in Ghala. Al Rawas will be present at stand A191 in Sheikh Rashid Hall.