SaudiBuild 2002, the biggest construction exhibition in Saudi Arabia, is fully booked with still over a month to go before the event opens at the Riyadh International Exhibition Centre.

Some 50 companies are currently on the waiting list, according to Shahid Bhatti, project manager for the organiser Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC).

"This year's event has attracted greater response than those held over the past few years," he says. "We have received very strong international interest with companies from around 25 countries represented at the show."

Over 750 companies are expected to display their products and services for the entire spectrum of the construction industry, ranging from lighting, natural stone, ceramic tiles, bricks to heavy earthmoving and construction equipment.

The products will cover a total exhibition space of 7,000 sq m net, which includes some 1,500 sq m of outdoor space.

The show will feature a total of seven national country pavilions. This year the largest pavilion will be organised by Germany with a total of 19 companies. Other major national pavilions include Turkey with 13 companies, UK, Austria, Brazil and Belgium (Walloon region).

A large number of companies from around the world will also promote their products and services. They will come from the UAE (12 companies), Qatar, Syria, Egypt, Iran, India, China, Spain, Malaysia, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, the Philippines and Switzerland. More than 130 Saudi manufacturers and suppliers will also display their range.

More than 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the show, according to Bhatti, who says that at last year's event some 30 per cent of the visitor turnout was from neighbouring countries. SaudiBuild 2001 attracted 24,573 trade and business visitors from the Kingdom and the region.

SaudiBuild 2001 hosted under one roof leading construction-related companies from over 21 countries around the world. Over 200 of the Kingdom's leading companies presented their latest products and the innovations of over 500 industry leaders they represent. Six national pavilions from Austria, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Thailand and Turkey joined individual international participants from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Taiwan, the Netherlands, UAE and the UK.

SaudiBuild 2002, the 14th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Show will be held from October 13 to 17. The exhibition will open at 4 pm on October 13. On the remaining four days, it will be held in two sessions from 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 9.30 pm.

Running alongside the main event will be Saudi Stone 2002, in its fifth edition.

''SaudiBuild 2002 is being held at the centre of the largest building market in the Middle East, and it offers suppliers of building technologies and products unique opportunities to expands and develop their business."

The event includes a wide exhibitor profile covering diverse products and equipment including building materials and equipment, architectural finishing products, security and safety systems, natural stone, stone treatment and handling products, construction tools and technology, electrical supplies and equipment, engineering services, indoor and outdoor lighting, power generation and controls, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), water technology, landscaping and hardscape, heavy construction equipment and municipal services.

SaudiBuild is a UFI (Union Des Foires Internationales) accredited show.

Riyadh Exhibitions Company is an international exhibitions company based in Riyadh, with representative offices throughout the world. Over the last 22 years, REC has organised over 250 international trade fairs representing and has established a client base of over 35 governments and hundreds of international companies and trade associations. REC offers a comprehensive range of trade fair services including full international and local logistical support, on-site stand builders, furniture hire, signs, lettering, and graphics.