Over 1,000 exhibitors from all over the world are expected to take part in the Big 5, the Gulf's largest construction and contracting exhibition, which will be held in Dubai, UAE this month.

Featuring six specialised sectors - building and construction, water technology and the environment, air-conditioning and refrigeration, cleaning and maintenance, glass and metal and bathrooms and ceramics - the construction showcase for the Middle East will be held from October 27 to 31 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

This year's event promises to make and break more records, according to its organiser dmg Index Exhibitions.

The Big 5 2001 is expected to be the largest-ever in the series, covering all seven DWTC halls. By achieving a 'full house', the Big 5 has now become only one of three yearly events to fill all seven DWTC halls.

"At Big 5 there will be 17 national pavilions, with Canada participating officially for the first time," says Bernard Walsh, managing director of dmg Index Exhibitions. "We have over 1,000 exhibitors from 33 countries covering 17,000 sq m - 20 per cent more floor space than last year. For the first time the show will span seven DWTC halls."

"Some 19,659 trade visitors attended the show last year, which was an increase of 6 per cent on 1999, 70 per cent of the turnout was from within the GCC countries, with particularly significant numbers from Iran, India, Pakistan and Egypt. We hope this year, considering the world economic situation and recent happenings in the US, that visitor records will match last year's figures,"

Commenting on the impact on the show from the September 11 attacks on the US, Walsh says: "We have received calls from overseas exhibitors enquiring about the status of the shows, most just wanted confirmation that the exhibitions are going ahead, which we have readily given.

"Businessmen worldwide realise that the economic impact of events is particularly affecting the US and Europe and new markets will be vital to see firms through difficult times. The Middle East, and particularly the Gulf, is pressing ahead with major development plans and international companies remain eager to try and get a share.

"All 17 national pavilions due to take part in the Big 5 have reconfirmed their participation."

National pavilions will be put up by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the UK.

Germany is mounting the largest pavilion ever seen at a Big 5 show, with the single unit taking up 3,500 sq m.

German pavilion, organised by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), will feature over 150 leading German firms specialised in various sectors ranging from mechanical engineering to water supply and distribution and building and construction VDMA spokesman Boris Abadjieff says that Germany's strong participation shows that Dubai is still considered the gateway to the Middle East.

From the UAE, there will be as many as 200 UAE firms taking part, twice as many as the number that participated the previous year. "Local participation has doubled this year which would appear to be a fresh vote of confidence in the regional construction and contracting market," says Walsh. "With the Emirates Industrial Bank predicting that within the UAE the construction sectors' share of GDP will rise from 11.5 per cent to 14 per cent within four years, confidence should further increase."

The UK will be a major exhibitor at the Big 5 with over 60 firms present. A total of 40 firms will exhibit under a group organised by WS International (WSI) in conjunction with Build-Ex (UK) and The Building Centre. The group will be the largest British group to exhibit at the show, taking up the majority of Hall 6.

A further 10 British building products manufacturers are exhibiting under the Build-Ex flag. Also, the Construction Products Association, which promotes British exports to the Middle East, will be sponsoring a group of British firms to the Big 5 for the first time ever. This group, located in Hall 5, will have a total of 14 firms.

Belgium is to mount its largest-ever official pavilion at the Big 5, with 20 companies housed in the pavilion, which is being organised by the Belgian Foreign Trade Board.

Belgium's export trade with the UAE is on the increase with the country recording a 40 per cent rise in sales to the UAE last year compared to 1999. "Last year, Belgian exports to the Emirates topped $549.4 million," says Jaak Bilien, head of exhibitions at the Belgian Foreign Trade Board. "Exports cut across a wide range of products and the varying activities of the Belgian Big 5 delegation will reflect this."

Belgian exhibitors at Big 5 will represent the air-conditioning, flooring, tensile fabric, water treatment, security, refrigeration, cleaning systems, processing engineering, insulation and decorative sectors.

The Australians will be out in force at the Big 5. The Dubai offices of the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) and the South Australian Commercial Government Office, and the Master Builders Australia (MBA) association - strongly supported by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) Dubai, and a visiting delegation from New South Wales (NSW) - will together show off the products and services of 18 major Australian firms.

The Spanish pavilion is being organised by the Ciudad Real Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and this year features more than 20 manufacturers of industrial plant and equipment.

Alongside the pavilion, ANMOPyC, the Spanish Association of Equipment Manufacturers for the Construction & Mining Industries, takes part in the Big 5 for the first time this year. This association represents the 70 most important Spanish manufacturers. Among the products represented by ANMOPyC are compacting and road construction equipment and concrete, lifting, transport and maintenance, mining and aggregates processing, earthmoving, auxiliary civil engineering equipment such as mixers, dumpers, formwork, scaffolding, props, vibrators, metal shears and construction saws, and a wide variety of other products.

Italy's presence will be extending well beyond bathrooms, says Walsh. "Regular visitors to the Big 5 will have been struck by the impressive Italian presence in the show's Bathrooms & Ceramics section. Italy remains at the forefront of creative design and high-class fashion world-wide, and this applies especially to manufacturers of contemporary and classical bathroom taps and mixers, as well as ceramic tiles.

''However, this is not the only sector where around 80 Italian exhibitors will play a prominent role. Visitors will find them across all sectors, displaying air-conditioning equipment, building and construction products and services, glass products and water and environmental technology.''

Several companies will be using the Big 5 as the launchpad for their latest innovations, new products and expansion plans.

Within the building and construction sector, which occupies the largest floor space at the Big 5, Malaysia's Impack Pratama Ind will be introducing its flat solid and corrugated polycarbonate sheet, vinyl roofing and PVC doors to the Middle East.

A new dynamic mould insert will be presented by Kobra Molds (US/Germany), that is said to offer a 25 per cent paver strength increase, more equal compaction, smooth sides, longer life, shorter cycle times, easy multi-layer production, and re-useable mould frame.

Moduwall, a new quick building system, will be unveiled by Synoptic of Belgium, while Al Gafia Trading of the UAE will launch a mortarless block manufacturing system called Haener Block.

In the water and technology sector, So Safe Products, a UAE manufacturer of water purification systems will unveil the blueprint for a new 200,000 sq ft factory it plans to set up in the Jebel Ali Free Zone within three years.

So Safe will also launch a comprehensive new product range. This will include low-pressure, energy-saving reverse osmosis units, jumbo housings, bacteria-removing cartridges, cartridges for industrial applications and no-foam sediment cartridges for desalination plants in the Middle East.

Jet SpA of Italy will introduce its latest ranges of high-pressure centrifugal water pumps, deepwell pumps and submersible high-temperature motors, and vertical axis centrifugal turbine pumps.

And Water and Environmental Systems of Saudi Arabia will stage the international launch of what is claimed to the world's first water filter with an in-built sound alarm. The ultraviolet sterilising filter, which sounds an alarm when it needs replacing, has been developed in-house by the Dammam-based firm.

Water & Environmental Systems is one of 20 Saudi exhibitors taking part in the Big 5. Other Saudi companies represent the plastic piping, waterproofing, glass, iron and steel and PVC sectors "The country's construction supply sector is increasingly looking beyond the Kingdom's borders for trading opportunities," . says Walsh.

Air-conditioning is emerging as a major sector of the Big 5. "Increased demand for improved air quality is driving this sector," says C M Gidwani, managing director, Inter Techno, Dubai. "People are also looking for systems which have key environmental protection aspects."

At the Big 5, Inter Techno is among a host of suppliers planning to launch new AC components and technology.

It will introduce three products from the UK, India and France, which improve air quality and save on energy. These products can reduce humidity, dilute pollutants and ensure 100 per cent dust removal, according to Gidwani.

British ventilation giant Xpelair is to stage the Middle East launch of a new comprehensive range of commercial and home products. The air industry market leader, part of GDA Applied Energy, will use the show to display its new X-plus range of commercial fans and Premier centrifugal bathroom and kitchen fans.

Spiro International, a leading Swiss supplier of machinery used in the production of air-conditioners, plans to introduce a new technology transfer franchising concept into the Middle East. The concept not only supplies machine technology but also manufacturing and marketing know-how, according to Hamid Shojai, vice president sales, who sees tremendous potential arising from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman and Jordan.

Also in this sector, Al Yousuf of Dubai will use the show to demonstrate new LG air-conditioners with their unique Plasma air purifying system, while R Hira of the UAE will be launching its new Diamond range of ventilation products.

"Two factors appear to be impacting this sector," says Walsh. "One is the noticeable demand for cleaner indoor air, the other is the development of an indigenous Middle East air-conditioning manufacturing base, which in turn, fuels demand for components."

Commenting on the Big 5 show's contribution to the construction industry, he says: "Besides being a platform for industry professionals such as architects, engineers, contractors and other specifiers to meet with leading international manufacturers, Big 5 also brings to the region the latest technological innovations and products. Also many new-to-market exhibitors eventually establish bases in the region, which brings immediate economic benefits.

dmg Index Exhibitions is part of the giant dmg World Media, one of the world's leading trade show companies with over 400 events worldwide annually. Its portfolio includes Index, the Middle East's international furniture and interiors exhibition and The Hotel Show, the trade event for hospitality industry suppliers.

The Big 5 will be open between 9.30 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm on all days. Industry professionals may use their business cards to register for free at the door at visit the event.