Econosto Mideast of the UAE will be turning the spotlight on its double regulating valves (DRVs) at the Big 5 show.

"We expect to launch a new DRV targeted at the HVAC (heating ventilation and air-conditioning) industry," says Tanveer Barge, from the company's marketing department. "At the show, we will promote the Econ range of gate, globe and check valves, gauges, flanges and expansion joints, but the main focus will be on DRVs."

He continues: "We participated in last year's Big 5 show and the response was satisfactory. As this is the largest and only trade show that caters to the HVAC industry in the Middle East and is also attended by leading consultants, contractors, suppliers and agents, it provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our products."

Apart from Econosto's Econ range of valves, Econosto Mideast also markets National fittings, Nefit fittings, Kawasaki pipes, Sikla pipe accessories and Isea water heaters.

Econosto Mideast is a subsidiary of the Royal Econosto group based in The Netherlands. Established in 1985 with its head office in Sharjah, Econosto Mideast now has branches in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, South Africa, Oman and Kazakhstan as well as one in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

Royal Econosto, which was established in 1892, is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of a diverse range of valves, process controls and measuring equipment, instrumentation and related pipeline products such as pipes, fittings and flanges suitable for oil and gas, steam, water, compressed air, chemicals and HVAC applications.

Business growth has been in line with Econosto Mideast's expectations, although the market is becoming quite competitive, and the company is now looking at expanding by acquiring new agencies, he says.

Barge also sees good construction prospects for the UAE. "Real estate projects in the UAE worth Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) over next five years are expected to raise the property sector's contribution to GDP (gross domestic product) from the current 11.5 per cent to 14 per cent in 2005," he says "Also, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing is planning to carry out 56 new projects worth Dh1.192 billion."

"Econosto is an international market leader committed to providing high-quality products backed by outstanding customer service and technical support," he says. "We have a team of dedicated and qualified engineers in sales and marketing to ensure a high level of professional service to our

customers. And our warehouses in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, one of the largest in the Middle East, facilitate ex-stock delivery of valves, pipes and fittings."

Econosto Mideast will be at stand 1A21.