The Portuguese Trade Commission in Dubai (PTC) is setting up two separate national pavilions at the Big 5 show to introduce the diversity in Portuguese building materials to visitors both from within the UAE and from across the region.

The pavilions themed as ‘Lifestyle’ will house the product varieties from 18 companies in marble and ceramic tiles, steel post tension wires, hardware (doors knobs, locks, hinges, etc), bathroom and kitchen accessories and air handling units, says Carlos Carvalho Costa, director PTC Dubai.
The two separate pavilions – one at exhibition Hall III and the other in Sheikh Rashid Hall – are a result of collaboration between various Portuguese trade and industrial associations including Assimagra, Apicer, Aimmap, Apcer, Aimmp and ICEP/Portugal.
“The Portuguese art of ceramic tiling, which has passed from generation to generation, and a seemingly endless variety of marble will be displayed at the Sheikh Rashid hall while the rest of the exhibits will be promoted in the pavilion of Hall III,” he adds.
“Portugal has learnt a lot about building materials and finishing products, which is one of the fastest-growing construction sectors in Europe. Portuguese products offer architects traders and specifiers a comprehensive choice of building resources at competitive prices and exceptional quality. Portugal has excelled in this field and today architectural solutions from Portuguese companies contribute to several innovative building and projects developments across the globe,” he points out. “Creating awareness in the local market about Portuguese products is the main objective behind bringing so many companies to the Big 5 show.
“In the marble, granite and natural stone section, Portuguese companies have brought in a huge variety that includes the world-renowned pink marble and a staggering range of granite.
Marble and granite companies participating at the show include: C Mata Export; Dani Marmores; Grupo Galrao; Marfilpe; MVC – Marmores de Alcobaca; PA Stones Group; and Transgranitos.
Ceramic wall and floor tiles manufacturers at the show will include: Aleluia-CeramicApolo; Ceralfa; Domino; Gresco; and Poceram-Nextile.
Manufacturas Santos will represent the metallic subsector of building materials with locks for wooden and aluminium doors, hinges, door handles and knobs sector, while Pombo will be present within the bathroom accessories sector.
Senda will offer stainless steel sanitary ware and accessories, water fountains, hand dryers and handrails for the building industry, while Zenite will represent the sanitary fitting (faucets and bathroom accessories) sector.
Fapricela will exhibit the latest in steel wires for all types of construction application; and Evac will display its range of air handling units for air temperature and humidity control and filtration.
Explaining the role of PTC in organising the pavilion, Costas says: “We are scouting around for foreign direct investment (FDIs) as well as high-level bilateral trade relations at the exhibition. Seeking out investments in Portugal and improving bilateral trade ties are two of the basic tasks for around 55 PTCs that are spread across the world. However, here in the UAE we are focusing more on the trade aspect, although FDI is another area where we intend to develop our strengths.
“We intend on improving the image of Portuguese companies in the region. We are running a direct marketing campaign based on direct mailing, fax and email broadcast, alongside a media campaign, to create awareness about the mutually beneficial trade relations between Portugal and the UAE.”
Speaking on the Portuguese Big 5 slogan – ‘making sense of lifestyle’ – he says: “The slogan is apt as the product range and quality offered by Portuguese companies is endless. The products that roll out of these companies represents the life styles in Europe and other trendy parts of the world. We have launched an integrated marketing campaign to properly introduce our products and brands, especially the building materials and interior decoration products here in the UAE, in view of the booming construction sector.
 “Shows such as the Big 5 evoke a strong response in Portugal. This year we have managed to bring 19 companies, but we are determined to extend the participation of Portuguese companies further to the forthcoming trade shows. In the short term, our aim is as well to encourage companies to set up here, and this has been a part of our macroeconomic diplomatic policies,” he explains.
Costa has invited Chris Baker of Venture Middle East as a guest speaker at a business meeting with the Portuguese delegates before the opening of the Big 5 show.  This will help raise awareness and provide guidance on how to approach and secure the vast business opportunities in the GCC countries, Costas concludes.