Strong demand for exhibit space at next year's inaugural BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT

BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT will be held in Abu Dhabi, 20 - 23 April, 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event marks the debut in the Middle East of France's world-famous BATIMAT building show.

Confirmed exhibitors at BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT include leading local and international names such as Tabreed, Unibeton Ready mix, Swegon, Emirates Iron & Steel Factory, Qatar Steel Company, Technal Middle East, VM ZINC, Corus Building system, Marantec Steuerungs, Al Nahr, AMC protection -Siplast and Mammut among others.

BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT is organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East with the support and participation of the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the UAE Contractor's Association.

The four-in-one show

BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT will include:


• Structure Gulf Exhibition (focussing on structural technologies and implementation techniques);

• Envelope Gulf Exhibition (solutions for cladding, façade, joinery and shutters);

• Intelligent Building Gulf Exhibition (solutions, systems and networks to improve user comfort inside a building); and

• HVAC Gulf Exhibition (thermal comfort solutions focusing on temperature and air control, energy, plumbing and water treatment).

The shows focus on key aspects of modern building construction encompassing the technical, energy-related, economic, environmental and safety aspects of construction and are aimed at property developers and owners, architects, engineers, consultants, dealers and contractors.

The exhibition's organizers say that the strong demand for floor space is a reflection of the boom in the construction and property development sector in the country and the region. The Middle East construction market, currently valued at $300bn, is registering 10 percent annual growth, according to a study commissioned by Reed Exhibitions. 'The building sector in the region is maturing quickly with emphasis shifting from completing construction in the quickest and cheapest possible manner to a focus on ensuring building performance', said Leonard Lecoq, Show Manager, BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT.

'BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT has been designed to provide a comprehensive look at the building sector via the specialised platform of the four shows. This format has been well appreciated by the market and we have received excellent exhibitor interest despite the show being in its inaugural edition', added Lecoq.

China will host country pavilions at each of the four shows, while a pavilion showcasing Italian expertise in the HVAC sector will be organised in collaboration with Mostra Convegno Expocomfort - the biennial international exhibition that is the world's largest in the HVAC sector. A Turkish pavilion focussing on the Structural and Envelope elements of buildings will also be organised.

Abu Dhabi - a booming construction market
A report by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) states that over Dhs850bn will be invested in the Abu Dhabi construction market in the coming years.

Stating that Abu Dhabi was the ideal venue for BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT in the Middle East, said 'Mega projects that are in the pipeline such as the Warner Bros. and Ferrari theme parks, the Louvre and Guggenheim museums, The Central Market and Capital Centre property developments are but a few examples that highlight Abu Dhabi's position as one of the most dynamic construction markets in the region'.

Value-added features
Besides, an innovative business meetings programme will be offered at BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT whereby Reed Exhibitions will match offer and demand before the show by identifying construction projects as well as the building solutions that the projects need. The exhibition can therefore serve as an ideal business and deal-making platform and ensure that visitors at the show are able to promptly zero in on the specific solutions they require.

Presentations and seminars focussing on the four themes of the exhibition will also be organised with the participation of experts such as Ecosmart, TBC-France and the Intelligent Building Group. The International Union of Architects (UIA) will organize The International Architects Conference at the show.