The Big 5, the recently-concluded giant construction and contracting industries exhibition, attracted over 25,000 visitors to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC), an 18 per cent increase over the previous event, according to official figures.

The results were released as organiser, dmg World Media Dubai Limited announced a 15 per cent show expansion plan for next year.

"We had 1,030 exhibitors for Big 5 2002, representing 1,460 companies. With the majority confirming for next year, and with increased space requirements, this alone has made show growth a must," said Bernard Walsh, managing director of dmg World Media Dubai.

According to Walsh, increased visitor levels are making Big 5 even more attractive to regional and international countries. "Companies want to exhibit for the simple reason that it is good for business. The show attracts a very professional visitor profile," said Walsh.

The official attendance for 2002 was 25,146, up from the 21,223 of last year. Nearly 60 per cent of visitors came from outside Dubai, with GCC attendance up by 6 per cent.

"We had significant increases in European visitor levels, up by nearly 150 per cent, visitors from India and Pakistan went up by 87 per cent, with other Arab countries recording a 55 per cent increase. Visitors from Iran went up by a phenomenal 325 per cent," said Walsh.

German company Karcher, one of the world's leading manufacturers of cleaning equipment, said the increasing infrastructure development is growing the region's cleaning equipment industry which currently stands at round $80 million and is tipped to grow by another 25 per cent in the next 12 months.

The regional growth is surging international interest in the Middle East. This, the organiser said, was reflected in the number of agencies and distributorships announced during the Big 5, which was officially opened by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry.

Coil-Tech US Chiller Services, a Bahraini-American joint venture company specialising in the repair, retrofit, service and overhaul of heavy applied liquid chillers, entered into a joint venture agreement with Dubai-based Al Shirawi, one of the region's largest electro-mechanical contractors.

Logstor, a manufacturer of pre-insulated piping systems, said its systems have attracted a lot of interested at the show. The Denmark-based company announced that it intends to open a factory in Dubai next year.

Somfy, the French manufacturer of blinds and awning systems, indicated that it plans to set up an office in Jebel Ali, which will also include a showroom and stockyard.

Avilion, the UK-based manufacturer of the upmarket Perrin & Rowe kitchen and bathroom brassware, was at the Big 5 with a view to appointing an agent as well as promoting its brand. Following the event, it has appointed Dubai-based Jos Hansen & Soehne as its distributor in the region (see pg 149).

Italian compressor manufacturer Frascold, appointed Dubai-based Silver Star Electronic, as its exclusive sales and marketing agent for the Middle East, tasking the company with the development of Frascold's regional sales channel. Before the show finished, Silver Star had appointed Frascold distributor for Egypt and Dubai.

Efaflex, one of the world's largest independent producers of high-speed doors, launched its wares into the Middle East as well as appointing Desert Roofing and Flooring (DRFCO) as its UAE distributor.

"This was typical of the business being conducted at Big 5. Exhibitors want more than show sales. There is an increasing drive by international firms to establish permanent regional representation and this is best achieved through partnership with locally-based companies," said Walsh.

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"The Big 5 provides a snapshot of the region, allowing companies to gauge how to best make their entrance into the Middle East. The Big 5 provides the perfect starting point."

An Australian delegation of some 20 companies, sponsored by the Government of New South Wales and the professional trade association Master Builders Australia, visited the Big 5 as part of a market study.

"Some of these companies will be part of the Australian pavilion at Big 5 2003," said Keith Stubbs, manager international business services of Master Builders Australia, which has 25,000 members.

"This show is vital to us because of its regional focus," said Stubbs. "Within minutes of the exhibition opening, one of our companies was approached by a UAE engineering concern to set up a ventilation equipment factory in Dubai. This would be on a joint-venture basis with equipment capital cost alone amounting to $101,000. This proposition is being seriously considered."

Walsh said greater investment is being made by exhibitors into their show presence reflecting the growing international interest in the Middle East. "One thing that has become apparent over the last few years is the improvement in stand presentation. Exhibitors are spending more on their participation, they consider the Big 5 as an investment in their future regional interests."

The improvement in the show was highlighted in visitor feedback, said the organiser.

"This year is excellent. There are more companies and a greater product variety. I have come down here to see construction materials. We are always on the outlook for more suppliers," said Malik Shiqwarah, procurement manager, Al Habtoor Engineering, UAE.

"The show has received good response," said Chris Allwood, internationational commercial director, of Kingspan Access Floors. "We are visiting the show to see who is here in our line of niche products. We also want to strengthen our dealership network."

In fact it was the product variety that impressed many visitors. "Big 5 is bigger than ever. The organisers have refined the show with easier access and better product separation. The show is catching and has it all, with new products and technology introduced catering to all parts of the market, said a visitor to the show.

The show's continual growth is making its mark on those who visit. "The show this year is huge. I have been visiting for the last three years. There are a lot of companies, all competing for a place in the Middle East market. It provides great information and caters to visitor and local distributor needs. The show is one of the best in the world," said Mohammed Nagib Mulayyes, technical consultant, Syrian Chamber of Commerce.

The 2003 edition, which takes place from November 29 to December 3, will incorporate Hall 8 of the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. It will be the first time the show has used all eight halls.

According to Walsh, the move has been spurred by increasing exhibitor demands. "All of the 22 national pavilions have confirmed their participation for next year, the majority requesting more space."

Walsh said that, with individual exhibitors also following suit, space is becoming a premium.

Walsh said the ongoing success of the show can be attributed to the booming regional construction sector.

"The show acts very much as a barometer for the regional industry. With the Gulf's construction spend alone in the vicinity of $45 billion, international interest in the Middle East is on the increase."

Walsh said the show will continue to grow and that there will likely be a few more developments over the next 12 months.

"With the region going from strength to strength, this will have a direct impact on the Big 5. Infrastructure development across the Middle East is on the increase and as the regional industry's premier sourcing forum, the demands placed upon the Big 5 will grow. As organisers, we will ensure that the show not only grows in size but in quality as well," he concluded.

dmg Index Exhibitions is part of the giant dmg World Media group, one of the world's leading trade show companies with over 400 events worldwide annually.

Since establishing in Dubai five years ago, the company now owns and operates four highly successful trade events, including the Big 5, the Index interiors exhibition, The Hotel Show, the trade event for suppliers to the hospitality industry and The Office Exhibition for the office and facilities management sector.