The regional construction industry rates the Big 5 a resounding success

Always a dependable barometer of the state of the region's building and construction industry, this year's Big 5 exhibition, which finished on the 20th November, clearly demonstrated the current buoyancy and dynamic nature of these two sectors - the response to the event, both in terms of the number of visitors and exhibitor feedback, also indicated that in the long term there will be continued expansion across the region, with many more large scale projects and developments coming on stream.

The show could have been even bigger still, as we had a waiting list of companies and countries that wanted to participate - unfortunately, we are currently limited by the space available to us" said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai Ltd.,

""However, having recognised the need for a larger facility, the Government of Dubai has already announced the construction of Exhibition City, which will be part of the new Airport complex at Jebel Ali.

This is great news for us and for the many companies wanting to showcase their products and services at what is without any doubt, the largest and most essential annual meeting place for the regional construction industry."

Interest in the sector is running at an all-time high - visitors to this year's Big 5's were up 14.4% year on year, a total audience of 38,535 trade professionals attending the show - this included 16,700 overseas visitors and exhibitors. 42% of registered visitors came from Dubai, 23% from Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates and 13% from Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. Overseas visitors (22% of the total) included a high number who traveled to the event from Egypt, India, Iran, Africa and Europe. Significantly, visitors from India and Pakistan increased by 30%, from Iran by 9% and from Europe by 39%, further evidence of the still growing importance of The Big 5.

Exhibitors from 58 countries participated in the exhibition, with 1,886 stands representing 2,477 companies - there were also 29 national and regional groups, with all of the world's leading building and construction markets strongly represented.

"A survey of exhibitors undertaken during the event showed that it was highly positive in terms of generating business and establishing contacts - this is a direct result of the extremely high quality of the trade visitors attracted to the show." added Walsh. "Exhibitors achieved their objectives, many appointing local and regional agents and distributors during the show, and in addition to the deals that were done at the show, there will be many more over the coming months."

International exhibitors recognise the power of the event - typical comments including; "The Big 5 is by far the most important exhibition for the construction industry in the Gulf region and offers our companies the chance to display their products and services to a broad range of buyers. The exhibition is a platform to reach many markets in the Middle East." (Lee Jennings of Wales Trade International, UAE). "The response at our stand has been amazing. Within the first two hours of the opening we have already signed a contract for 70 panic exit devices for a hotel project." (John Garmendia, Tesa, Spain).

Bookings for next year's Big 5, which takes place from 28th October to 1st November 2006, are already heavy. "We have been inundated with rebookings, which started to come through even before the show opened," said Walsh. "This show keeps breaking its own records year after year, and with the Dubai International Exhibition Centre creating additional floorspace for next year's Big 5, I can confidently say that it in 2006 it will be even bigger."