Top global companies to participate in Kingdom's major building, interiors show

Organised by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, the five-day event is Saudi Arabia's 12th comprehensive showcase for the industry. It will feature the complete spectrum - from light tools to heavy machinery - of the construction industry. It will also present ideas and economics of the industry.
In the aftermath of the events of 2001, billions of dollars that would have been invested abroad by Saudis is now being invested in the Kingdom.

According to industry experts, Saudi Arabia's construction boom is set to remain for at least another decade due to strong oil prices and ongoing reforms in the country. The boom will also be spurred by major government projects like the electricity expansion projects worth $100 billion. The Kingdom's continuing construction activity and development of projects including schools, hospitals, private construction and rapidly expanding tourism sectors are driving this buoyant industry to an all time high.

A huge increase in oil revenues in 2002 prompted banks to expand credits to builders and contractors. This amounted to over $5 billion in the first nine months of 2002 and is expected to rise further.

An estimated total capital invested in Saudi real estate sector in 2001 amounted to $240 billion. Saudi Arabia's decision to allow foreign investors to own real estate will further boost this thriving sector.

The Kingdom is upgrading its education system and hence a big part of its budget is allocated to this sector. Most of the schools in the Kingdom are housed in rented premises. The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in April 2001 awarded a $3.46 billion contract for the construction of 3,000 schools on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis to the American International Group (AIG).

Last year SAGIA also granted a licence to finance the construction of 200 government school buildings at a cost of SR1.3 billion. The Kingdom has also allocated $154.66 million for new technical colleges.

According to the Kingdom's largest bank - National Commercial Bank - construction activity will also expand because of the ongoing long-term electrification plan. The power plan calls for an installation of some 50,500MW of additional generating capacity that would require an investment of $117 billion in the next 20 years. This implies that the government has to make an annual allocation of requisite funds amounting to around $4.67 billion, while the construction component related to power sector alone is believed to be around $693 million.
Jeddah being the commercial hub of the Kingdom, witnesses brisk activity in the region. The city is the gateway to the Holy cities of Makkah and Madina. The annual pilgrimage (Haj) and Umrah season attract over 4 million visitors to Jeddah.
To treat emergency cases during the Haj season, a new hospital is coming up in Mina at a cost of $15.99 million. Saudi-German Hospital Group has also planned a 300-bed hospital in Madina.
Tourist destination Taif - about 200km from Jeddah - which draws the attention of tourists and holiday-makers, is also witnessing vigorous construction activity. New hotels, furnished apartments, holiday resorts and hospitals are emerging in the town. Taif is being transformed into a landmark tourist resort of the Western Region. As Saudi Arabia has decided to develop and market tourism several new projects are coming up catering to the leisure industry. A 500-bed hospital, most advanced in the city, was established at a cost of $173.31 million.

Catering effectively to this expanding construction industry, the Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition, which was earlier a biennial show, has been made an annual event.
Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, the Kingdom's premier event organiser, also celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year, completing 25 successful years of international event organising.

The scope of Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition has been widened to cover the parallel sector of Interior Design.
To satisfy the needs of this dynamic industry, holding interiors alongside building has proven to be extremely worthwhile. This fruitful combination provides the ideal medium to attract not only engineers, architects, consultants, specifiers and designers, but a wider professional audience including the hotel managers, school/hospital administrators, company/bank directors, as well as manufacturers and businessmen at large.

Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition this year will have strong international presence with industry giants from the UK, France, Turkey, Thailand, Taiwan, India, Iran, Cyprus, Sweden, Spain and Gulf and Arab countries. The exhibition will have a large contingent of Saudi companies representing all aspects of building industry.

Last year over 20 countries were represented in national pavilions or by individual companies. Of these, Thailand alone was represented by more than 18 companies.

The event will be held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and is supported by Ministry of Industry and Electricity, Jeddah Mayoralty and King Abdul Aziz University - Faculty of Architecture.
The Saudi Umran Society will conduct a high-profile symposium parallel to the show and provide free consultation for building and construction.

Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition is the best opportunity for the trade people, investors and those waiting to join this thriving industry.