The organisers of Saudi Arabia’s leading construction expo SaudiBuild 2005 – the 17th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition – are quite confident of attracting a larger audience and greater number of exhibitors when the exhibition opens this December.

In order to maximise the number of professionals and trade buyers, and in turn the business development opportunities for exhibitors, SaudiBuild 2005 will take place concurrently with SaudiStone 2005: – the eighth international stone and stone technology show – from December 11 to 15 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Centre.
“This year’s event has already attracted strong international participation from Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Iran, Bahrain, UAE, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. In addition, major Saudi manufacturers and distributors have already confirmed their participation,” says Shahid Bhatti, project manager for Riyadh Exhibitions Company, the organiser.
A number of seminars and live demos will also be staged by exhibitors during the event.
The show, which was traditionally slotted in October, is being held in December this year because the Ramadan period falls during that month and also to avoid clashing with the dates of other regional trade exhibitions, he adds.
The show expects to attract professionals from all around the world to one of the most lucrative construction markets in the region – Saudi Arabia – which has recently announced a string of investments in the various sectors.
“The strong investment in the construction sector projects a double-digit growth in 2005 compared with around 8 per cent and 9 per cent in 2003 and 2004 respectively thereby exceeding the $25 billion bracket,” says Bhatti.
He continues: “With the population showing a rise of 3.5 per cent per year, the demand for residential buildings is rapidly increasing. With more than two million housing units being planned to meet the demand, the market for the full range of building products and accessories is likely to expand. The demand for construction materials is further augmented by the multi-billion dollar governmental and municipality projects around the kingdom, which include highway and street networks, the building of new factories and a large number of hospitals and public buildings.
“The kingdom has maintained its strong commitment to the public sector by spending more than $70 billion in 2004. Expenditures are likely to exceed that figure in 2005 indicating further demand in the construction sector. Major projects include electricity, roads, water, schools, universities, hospitals and housing as well as the numerous public and commercial developments, tourism and industrial expansion. Investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia are likely to exceed $1 trillion within the next 20 years. “Along with power, oil and gas sector, tourism, industrial and infrastructure projects are potential areas for new investments in the country creating multi-billion dollar opportunities for the private sector and foreign investors.
“Moreover, the Supreme Commission for Tourism in Saudi Arabia (SCT) has unveiled a 20-year strategic plan for the development of tourism in Saudi Arabia adding further momentum to the construction boom in the kingdom.”
Being hosted in Riyadh – home to the kingdom’s governmental and institutional decision makers – SaudiBuild 2005 offers trade visitors a unique opportunity to expand their sources of the full range of building products, heavy equipment, stone, finishing materials, electrical and lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) products. SaudiBuild 2005 is sure to attract key buyers who need the most up-to-date technology and equipment available on the market, he adds.
Pointing to the success achieved in last year’s SaudiBuild, he says: “The 16th international construction technology and building materials show exceeded all expectations in terms of numbers of trade visitors and exhibitors. During the five-day event more than 24,000 visitors came from all over the kingdom and from the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Yemen, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Sudan, Switzerland, Germany, and India. Over 250 of the kingdom’s leading companies showcased the latest products and technology.
The show brought a total of 846 top names in the industry from all four corners of the globe under one roof. This number included 347 direct exhibitors at the expo – 132 international and 215 local exhibitors. In addition, there were 499 indirect exhibitors – who included 452 international and 47 Saudi companies.
The exhibitors came from China, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Korea, Turkey, and the UAE (with national pavilions) and Bahrain, Brazil, Kuwait, Lebanon, Poland, Sweden, Syria, and Taiwan.”
Most exhibitors reported major sales and record leads, and many were confident that they would return again to Saudi Build.
This year’s exhibition will serve as a platform for exhibitors to display a wide array of products ranging from building materials to building equipment, architectural finishing products, security and safety systems, stone, marble and granite products, stone treatment and handling, construction tools and technology, electrical supplies and equipment, engineering services, environmental technology, infrastructure materials, indoor and outdoor lighting, power generation and controls, air-conditioning and heating, water technology, maintenance services and equipment, heavy construction equipment, landscape and hardscape, and municipal services.
The modern Riyadh Exhibition Centre consists of 10,000 sq m of air-conditioned space and 10,000 sq m of outside space, boasts of facilities such as a communications centre, restaurants, VIP suite, press suite, conference suites, exhibitor services centre, shipping offices, and ample parking, says Bhatti.
Riyadh Exhibitions Company, a member of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), has organised more than 290 international trade shows over the past 25 years.