Expectations are high as the 12th International Building Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition (Saudi Build 2000), the region's premier construction industry exhibition, draws closer.

The exhibition will be held from October 29 to November 2, 2000 at the Riyadh Exhibitions Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Concurrently with Saudi Build, a stone technology show called Saudi Stone will also be held.

Space bookings for the show are already 15 per cent higher than the same period last year and if the current demand continues, the show will be completely sold out, says a spokesman for Riyadh Exhibitions Company, the organiser.

The building and construction sector in Saudi Arabia continues to grow in strength and the improved economy and investment climate are encouraging both the government and the private sectors to plan new developments, he says.

The government's sixth five-year development plan provides more than $8 billion for the construction sector. Private construction projects are expected to reach more the $50 billion by the year 2006.

The high population growth is also creating a surging demand for additional housing and amenities. Projects, including private housing, commercial centres, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, office buildings and roads, are being built to meet the growing demand. These projects offer sustained demand for a wide range of building and construction related materials and services, he says.

Some of the major projects planned include: Shuaiba Thermal Power Station ($2 billion); Saudi Railway expansion ($2.4 billion); Al Shaqeel expansion ($1.36 billion); Ghazlan II Power Plant ($1.1 billion); Power Plant No 9, Riyadh ($1.1 billion); primary health care centres ($4.5 billion); construction of series of islands and an underwater restaurant ($1 billion); UCO (Jubail and Yanbu utility expansion) $1.6 billion; Shuaiba SWCC Plant-Phase II ($1.06 billion); construction of a five--star hotel in Madinah ($106 million); Durrat Al Arous Recreational City ($426 million); Berri Gas Processing Plant ($400 million); Batha Commercial Complex, Riyadh ($90 million); Sabic Headquarters, Riyadh ($67 million); Kingdom EST Hospital, Riyadh ($70 million); Prince Sultan City for Humanitarian Services, North Riyadh ($125 million); Gosi Housing Project ($250 million); and a new 500 bed hospital in Taif ($210 million).

The superb geographical location and advanced facilities have made Riyadh the premier gateway to Saudi Arabia, the largest building and construction market in the Middle East. Nearly 50 per cent of the Kingdom's contractors are based in Riyadh.

''Saudi Build exhibition is the largest and the most prestigious building and construction show in the region. Over the past years, it has successfully been developed into the most significant forum for professionals to source new products of the highest quality and explore new opportunities,'' continues the spokesman.

Trade visitors can review the latest products, trends and services presented by international and domestic companies.

The exhibition offers a platform to promote products and services directly to decision makers and leading construction industry trade buyers, he says.

The fair will see national participation from over 200 Saudi Arabian manufacturers and distributors and international participation from leading companies from the UK, the US, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Gulf states, Poland, Russia, China, Slovenia, Brazil, The Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, Canada, Taiwan, Portugal, Cyprus, Hong Kong and Greece.

The show is expected to attract over 20,000 trade and business visitors from throughout the region, he says.

The show is targeted at project owners/developers, contractors, consultants, architects, interior decorators, civil engineers, industrialists, traders, agents, distributors or government officials.

Trade visitors will be able to see a full range of building products, equipment and services that include the latest in: Building materials; infrastructure materials; building equipment; indoor and outdoor lighting; architectural finishing products; power generation and controls; security and safety systems; air-conditioning and heating; stone, marble and granite products; water technology; stone treatment and handling; maintenance services and equipment; construction tools and technology; heavy construction equipment; electrical supplies and equipment; landscape and hardscape; engineering services; and municipal services.

The exhibition will be open daily between 4.00 pm and 9.00 pm.