THE 18th Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition (SBIE), held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, attracted more than 500 international and national exhibitors and 20,000 visitors who rated the event an overwhelming success.

Exhibitors reported successful deals at the five-day event held at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events in April, with most confirming their participation for next year.
“This is an impressive show and our community will benefit a lot, especially at a time when the buoyant economy is driving a construction industry boom,” said Ibrahim Kutubkhanah, deputy mayor of Jeddah, after he opened the event.
The comprehensive show was held alongside a high-profile seminar in which speakers gave technical presentations on the latest trends in construction technology, architecture, decors and furnishings.
“The response was so overwhelming that two tents had to be specially erected outside the hall to accommodate exhibitors,” said Zahoor Siddique, director of Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions, which organised the event.
The building section featured building and construction equipment and products, as well as industry-related items for the air-conditioning and heating, architectural finishing, electrical supplies and equipment, engineering services, environmental technology, landscape and hardscape, lighting, real estate, safety and security, stone, marble and granite, and water technology segments.
The interiors section showcased products and services for hotels, offices, schools and hospitals, malls and restaurants, decor and furnishings for the home and outdoors, and landscape design.
Egypt, Turkey and China were among the major participants, while individual participants came from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Malaysia, Jordan, Iran, Kuwait, Taiwan, Thailand, Lebanon, Kuwait and the UAE. Scores of local companies were among the exhibitors.
Several exhibitors entered into deals worth millions of riyals, or reached partnerships with local businessmen.
“We exhibited here for the first time and never knew it could be so fruitful. We will return to this exhibition next year,” said Andrey Khaustov, deputy general director of Moscow-based Al Zer/Castwall.
Mehmet Said Kocadag of Turkey’s Alpino Furniture said he found a great demand for the products of his company. “With so many villas and buildings under construction, we can look forward to introducing our home furniture and related furniture components including veneered panels and doors. We find this exhibition one of the best in the world and would like to participate again,” he said.
Semir Chouman of ADG Trade Fairs, Istanbul, said 24 Turkish companies were participating in the show displaying a variety of construction products and services, in particular machinery, marble and furniture.
Farokh Samiee, managing director of Iran’s Alvand Ceramic Tile Company, said Saudi Arabia offers vast scope for its products including ceramic products and tiles. “We have been exporting our products to many countries and hope to export to the kingdom soon,” he said.
Changzhou Broad and Star Polyurethane Product Company, based in China, found out that its specialised products like lightweight plastering trowel made of rigid polyurethane resins had good demand in the local market.
“We received many inquiries for our polyurethane plastering products and we are satisfied with our participation. We have also succeeded in finding the right local distributor for our products,” said Zhilin Wu, sales executive for Changzhou.
Lo Wai Man of China Trade Centre said his company had showcased quality toilet, pedestal sink and bath accessories which are ISO9001 certified. “Our stand was flooded with inquiries,” he said.
US consul general Martin Quinn, and commercial consul Jesse Lapierre were among the diplomats visiting the show, and were impressed by the wide international participation. “Although our participation this time was small, we look forward to a stronger presence in the coming years,” Quinn said.
The US was represented by the Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel, which is a one-stop-shop for sourcing US technical, industrial, hospitality, contract and medical textiles.
Klaus Wertz, the Middle East area sales manager for Duravit, a German firm based in Hornberg, said he was delighted to find a strong response to the company’s complete bathroom solutions.
Philippe Gihles, managing director of FKG – Fabrice Kennel Group, France, said: “We are very satisfied with the visitor quality. We have received many serious enquiries. I will certainly come back next year.”
With 65 per cent of the exhibitors achieving the purpose of their participation, 94 per cent confirming their return at the 2010 edition and total visitor satisfaction, SBIE 2009 surpassed all records, says Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions.
The next edition of the event is scheduled to be held from April 18 to 22, 2010.