Global icons demonstrate the strength of the Middle East construction sector

"There's no better example of the booming Middle East construction industry than Burj Dubai, Emaar's iconic super-tower, which is already the tallest structure in the Middle East and Europe at 110 levels and 380 meters high - only one meter shorter than the Empire State Building," said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai, organisers of the annual Big 5 exhibition, a comprehensive showcase for the global and regional construction industry, and one of the largest exhibitions of its kind anywhere in the world.

"The centerpiece of the US$20 billion Downtown Burj Dubai project, 267,426 cubic meters of reinforced concrete and 49,684 tonnes of reinforcing steel have already been used in the construction of the tower, and over 3,000 workers are currently employed at the site - ten cranes and the world's fastest high-capacity construction hoists are being used to move men and material."

Alongside the world's tallest tower, construction of the Middle East's highest air traffic control tower has also begun at Dubai World Central, an urban aviation community now taking shape at Jebel Ali in Dubai - the nearly 300-foot-high control tower, will be part of a 64,500-square-foot technical block housing offices, operations, technical rooms and flight simulator.

The tower is located near the southeast end of Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), which, once completed will be the world's largest airport with six parallel 15,000-foot runways, up to 16 cargo terminals, two super-sized passenger terminals and six concourses, giving it the ability to handle 120 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo annually.

Saudi Arabia is also pressing ahead with major projects, the latest of which is the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), close to the business centre of Riyadh, which will be the largest financial centre in the Middle East. Excavation is scheduled to begin within weeks and the first building is expected to open around the end of 2008. When complete, it will be the spearhead of Saudi Arabia's strategy to promote private sector development in order to diversify its oil-rich economy and increase employment opportunities for its young and fast growing population.

The very latest security, environmental and ecological features will be integrated as a central part of the design, and the offices, built to internationally high standards and will be equipped with the world's most modern technology. The site covers 1.6 million square metres and the development will have floor space of around 3.3 million square metres.

"Showcasing 2,477 of the world's leading companies from the building and construction industry, The 2006 edition of The Big 5 saw the event strengthen its international credentials as the largest and most important annual meeting place for the construction industry in the Middle East," said Walsh. "Visitors increased by 14.4% to 38,535, including 16,700 overseas visitors and exhibitors." The huge importance of the Middle East region to the global building and construction industry was further highlighted by expanded participation from both international and regional companies, with 58 countries represented. "The Big 5 is internationally acknowledged as the event that companies have to be at if they want to maximise their business opportunities in the region," added Walsh.

Every product sector is represented at The Big 5, including air conditioning and refrigeration, water technology and the environment, marble, stone and ceramics and a totally comprehensive range of products and services related to building and construction. "There has been huge demand for exhibition space again," said Walsh. "This year's Big 5 will again feature the key international and regional players, both manufacturers and importers, and every year we are seeing more and more UAE manufacturers taking part."

The international significance of the event continues to grow as the region's importance to the global construction industry, often facing saturation in their traditional markets, expands dramatically. "Evidence of the region's significance is the fact that this year's Big 5 will feature the biggest ever German pavilion at any construction event outside Germany," added Walsh. "The Big 5's success is based on its unique combination of all of the key sectors within one show, making it a one-stop event for the region's key decision makers - exhibitors recognise that as well as attracting orders during the show, they can also make invaluable long-term contacts." The Big 5 takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 25-29 November 2007.