Middle East air conditioning sector in a boom period as population growth and real estate development drive sales

Hotels, shopping malls, offices, private residences and destination developments are either in progress or in the planning stages across the region. Simultaneously, the population of the MENA region has doubled over the last three decades - it now stands at approximately 386 million and continues to grow at around 2% (7 million people p.a.).

The Big 5 exhibition, one of the longest running events in Dubai, plays a major role in the international construction industry - in 2005 it featured exhibitors from over 50 countries. There are few, if any other events anywhere in the world that compare in terms of floorspace, number of exhibitors, international representation and number of visitors. With 20% more space to be available at Dubai's International Exhibition Centre this year, organisers dmg world media Dubai Ltd., have announced that the air conditioning sector, one of the event's key focus areas, is to be expanded in line with demand.

"The Big 5's heritage goes right back to the very beginning of Dubai's extraordinary growth, which it has supported over the years," said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai.

"We have built the success of The Big 5 - which is today one of the world's major construction shows, with a global reputation - by understanding the needs of the industry and delivering against those specific requirements. There is a clear need for an expanded air conditioning section at the show, and we will deliver exactly that this year."

The MENA air conditioning market offers huge potential to manufacturers. "In the Middle East, no building is complete without Air Conditioning, and with systems operating around the clock, there is a continuous requirement for replacement, renovation and maintenance," added Walsh.

The latest estimates of the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) show continued growth in the AC segment, with over 2.7 million unit sales projected by 2008. "Sales of AC units have grown by 56% since 2000," said Walsh. "The JRAIA estimates show this trend continuing, although we suspect that the projections through to 2008 may be a little on the conservative side, bearing in mind the scale of construction across the region."

The Big 5 now comprehensively covers seven main product areas: Building & Construction, Water Technology and Environment, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Cleaning & Maintenance, Glass & Metal, Bathrooms & Ceramics, Marble & Machinery. Each of these product sectors has expanded dramatically, in particular marble and stone, which now fills the entire Sheikh Rashid Hall.

"Demand for floorspace is intense every year, and consistently outstrips the available supply significantly," said Walsh. "This situation will, however, be eased in the short term following the recent announcement made by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), of the construction of a new exhibition hall at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Work is expected to be completed by October this year, and once finished, will add 15,000 square metres of exhibition space to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), increasing the available space by 30%."

The AC area at this years Big 5 will, as usual, be located in Hall 1 but will also now expand into the new hall, allowing the organisers to stage what will be the largest and most comprehensive showcase of air conditioning products and related services ever seen in the MENA region.

Dubai's Conference and Exhibition sector is undergoing massive growth and, as a result, In 2005, shows at the DICEC grew in terms of exhibition space at levels ranging from 10% to 73%. "We are delighted that steps are being taken to ensure that the facilities are available to support these high growth rates, thus enabling us to continue to provide the world class standard of events that visitors have come to expect." said Walsh.

The increase in exhibition space is not only welcome, but will have a further positive effect on Dubai's competitive edge as it looks to stage the world's biggest and most prestigious events.

There are two major stages that form the strategic development plan to provide sufficient exhibition space for the future. The first is the expansion and enhancment of the current exhibition space and facilities, followed by the construction of Dubai Exhibition City, part of the Jebel Ali Airport City, which will offer a staggering 120,000 square metres of exhibition space by 2009.

The Big 5, globally acknowledged as one of the world's most important meeting places for the construction industry, takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 28 October to 1 November 2006.