A stand at last year's event.
SBIE to have larger presence at Jeddah
The leading building and interiors exhibition grows in size, keeping pace with the petrodollar-fuelled construction growth in the kingdom.
01 April 2005
Saudi Arabia’s major international show for the building and interiors industry – Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition (SBIE) – will showcase an extensive range of products and services for these sectors when it opens in Jeddah on April 17.
The five-day show, organised by Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions, is expected to be 20 per cent larger this year, and will see companies from 15 countries exhibiting more than 400 brand names on nearly 220 stands, alongside a large local contingent of leading Saudi firms.
“The spectrum of services offered by the exhibitors is wide and will represent construction materials and services, equipment, finishing materials, interiors and furniture, electrical and lighting products, doors and windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, ceramics, sanitary ware, shop fitting and many more,” says a spokesman for the organiser.
This year’s exhibition – which will provide a unique environment in which to conduct business – is forecast to attract more than 10,000 trade and professional visitors and will serve as a main platform for professional interaction between the supplier and the clients. Annually, SBIE brings new companies to the Saudi market, securing investments for the construction sector, developing local manufacturing, and assisting in regulating the export of local output, says the spokesman.
Commenting on the construction industry in Saudi Arabia, the spokesman says: “Recent government measures to diversify and reform the Saudi economy are giving a boost to privatisation and inward investments. Billions of dollars that have been invested by Saudis abroad in the past are now being invested in the kingdom.”
“At the same time, western-educated and well-travelled Saudis continue to enjoy a rising standard of living. With this comes the desire for high-quality furniture and decorative home interiors.
“The market for construction and interior products is being driven by a staggering growth in population, with some estimates predicting 47 million by 2020, and the consequent need to increase the available housing stock and the resultant infrastructure. With a market potential in excess of $200 billion, opportunities exist in all areas of construction and interiors, which by virtue of the Saudi market have become inseparable.
“The Saudi government is developing the kingdom’s tourism industry and visitor numbers are expected to reach 44 million by 2023 contributing $22 billion to the economy. Jeddah, as the commercial and leisure centre of the Kingdom, and the Western Region is expected to be the greatest beneficiary of the increased tourism.
“The two growth factors, population and tourism, will have a positive impact on other sectors of the economy, especially in the development and refurbishment of restaurants, shopping malls, leisure resorts and theme parks, hotels and more modern commercial complexes, providing business opportunities for interiors and furniture suppliers unparalleled in the Arab world.”
“The total capital invested in the Saudi real estate sector is expected to amount to several hundreds of billions of dollars over the coming years. The government’s decision to allow foreign investors to own real estate is also expected to further boost this thriving sector,” the spokesman adds. “To satisfy the needs of this dynamic industry, holding interiors alongside the building fair has proven to be extremely effective. This combination provides the ideal medium to attract not only engineers, architects, consultants, specifiers and designers, but a wider professional audience including hotel managers, school/hospital administrators, company/bank directors, as well as manufacturers and businessmen at large.”
Jeddah, the venue for the event, is the kingdom’s commercial and leisure centre and the focal point of the Western Region, which accommodates a population of more than half the 22 million Saudi population. The region also contains the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Taif and the industrial city port of Yanbu.
A high-profile symposium will be held by the Saudi Council of Engineers in parallel to the show, together with free consultation to visitors by the industry experts. Seminars and presentations will also be held within the frame of the exhibition (See boxed item).
The show is held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and has the support of the Jeddah Mayoralty and other relevant official bodies. It will be open to trade visitors from 5-10 pm daily.
List of exhibitors
Bahrain
Gulf Construction
China
Shanghai International Advertising & Exhibition Company
Cyprus
Ministry of Commerce Industry & Tourism
France
Sud Coffrage
Krings International France
Porcelaine et Cristal
Bacou Dalloz
Somain Securite
India
Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Iran
Nojan Rad Company
Italy
Fantozzi Giuseppe & C SNC
Malaysia
Sterling Crown
Darussalam Arab Holding Company
Saudi Arabia
Abdul Hamid Al Malki Establishment
Abdullah Al Rashid Trading Establishment
Abdullah Bin Ibrahim Est – Cerypsa
Abdullah Bin Ibrahim Est – Graniti
Al Baroom Commercial Agencies
Al Benaa
Al Burkan National Company
Al Fassel Group
Al Handasah
Al Jilani for Trade, Industry, Contracting
Al Kifah Batching Plant
Al Magzal Establishment
Al Manara Electric Company
Al Maskan
Al Mowasha for Mosaic
Al Rajhi Company for Aluminium
Al Rajhi Company for Iron Work & Decoration
Al Tawi Company for Ready Mix Concrete
Al Youbi Trading Establishment
Al Zahra Decoration Establishment
Al Zamil Water Tanks
Algawini for Glass & Mirror
Alkoblan Thermopipe Factory
Amar – Kuwait
Anwar El-Dana for Artificial Stone
Arabian Cement Company
Arabian Factory for Marble
Automatic Machine Factory for Building and Materials
Baker Trading
Bin Tami Waterproofing Company
Castle Rock Establishment
Creative Closets
Dezine Concept
El-Maimani Red Brick Factories
Etechs Company
Ether Gulf Enterprise
Ezzat MH Fatayerji Establishment
General Agencies & Contracting
Hassan S Yamani Trading Establishment
JAB – Sabbagh Establishment
Khaled Al Mehdar Trading & Contracting
LCC Siporex
Masakin Fiberglass Doors Establishment
Mazaya Aluminium
Mechanical & Chemical Supplies
Modeco
Mohamed A Alhamrani & Intertrade
Mohammed Bafail Al Amoudi
National Factory for Polyethelene Tanks
National Naam Establishment
Pex Industrial
Poly Products – Raha Saudi Arabia Trading
Premco Products
Raghadan Paints
Rezayat Protective Coating Company
Saudi Anfal Factory for Automatic Doors
Saudi Iron & Steel Company (Hadeed)
Saudi Perlite Industry
Saudi Rubber Products Company
Saudi Vetonit Company
Sultan Zid Al Hossain
Taliah Trading & Industrial Company
Taraka Trading Company
Teef Najd Group
Universal Metal Coating Company (Unicoil)
USG Middle East
V Kool Saudia
Walid Al Samman Establishment
Singapore
Splendour Corporation
Thailand
Department of Export Promotion
Turkey
Expotim International Fair Organisation
UAE
Geberit International – Gulf regional office
Gulf Carpet International
Hamriyah Free Zone
Mammut Building Systems
Paradise Palace Trading
