The Big 5 Saudi to help foster global ties
07.03.2018The Big 5 Saudi 2018 is expected to play a lead role in strengthening partnerships between the kingdom and the international construction community, experts anticipate. The show opened its doors today to the regional and international construction industry at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events.
“With a growing population outnumbering its GCC neighbours, Saudi’s construction industry has vast potential to grow,” says Eng. Ibrahim Albuloushi, country head KSA for JLL. “The recent economic and social reforms, PPP and privatization efforts being made by the government, will bring in additional demand, SMEs, better quality services to end users, and the needed financing to fund the recently announced ambitious mega-projects.”
The event is expected to support the 4,700+ active construction projects currently underway in Saudi Arabia, at a combined estimated value of $ 852.3 bn.
Lucas Pastor, senior manager of corporate business development at Arabian Bemco Contracting Co, added: “The projects in the pipeline, especially the PPP ones, require international know-how and financial resources.
“At the same time, the strategy of the kingdom to promote local employment implies the necessity of the local companies to be involved in these projects as local manufacturers and/or local contractors.
“International partnerships are a must right now in Saudi Arabia more than ever before. Events like The Big 5 Saudi are the perfect scenario to promote such partnerships.”
400 exhibitors from 18 countries
Running until Thursday, March 8, The Big 5 Saudi 2018 will host 400 exhibitors from 18 countries. Building materials and construction solutions, including bathroom and kitchen fittings, smart city resources, steel and solar technology will be displayed. The event will also showcase concrete & PMV equipment and material handling.
“The Big 5 Saudi 2018 gathers many international and regional brands presenting innovations in construction, advanced and smart technology products.
“All of this embraces Saudi Vision 2030, with a strong focus on fast execution, development, and productivity in an encouraging market,” says Roni El Haddad, event director of The Big 5 Saudi.
Omar Khayal, business development manager at special solutions exhibitor Riva GmbH Engineering, adds: “The upcoming years show great prospective and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 supports and drives the market towards new development and infrastructural expansions. “The Big 5 Saudi is a great possibility to present our company and products to the local architects, investors and market representatives.” With more than 3,300 projects, urban construction represents 70% of all construction activities in the kingdom, the event’s intelligence partner, BNC Network, reports.
“Housing is the most significant area of expenditure under Saudi Vision 2030, with the aim to grow the real estate sector contribution to GDP from 5% to 10% by the deadline,” El Haddad comments. “For this reason, we are absolutely honored to have Saudi Arabia’s Building Technology Stimulus Fund (BTSF) as Strategic Partner of The Big 5 Saudi 2018,” he added.
An initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Housing, the Fund is dedicated to increasing building technologies capacity to meet urban development goals in the Kingdom.
The event is also supported by Al Bawani, the company behind construction projects like the Saudi-Bahrain viaduct and the recently completed King Abdullah Center for Oncology and Liver Disease, part of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital Mega Project in Riyadh.
“We see The Big 5 Saudi as the ideal vehicle to spur new interest in the general population, inspire enterprise in the construction industry and cultivate greater awareness of what is possible among employers. The Big 5 Saudi highlights the best of what is involved in the Construction Industry in an excellent venue and is worthy of Al Bawani Company’s continued support,” Al Shawaf adds.
The event will offer 54 free-to-attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certified workshops. The sessions will be divided into themes across three theatres: General Construction, Project Management, and Sustainability, Architecture & Design.
Organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa and MICE Arabia, The Big 5 Saudi is co-located with Wood Tech & Design Expo Saudi 2018.
Contact:
DMG Events
5th Fl., The Palladium, Cluster C
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
P.O. Box 33817
Dubai/UAE
+971 4 4380355
