“The participation of so many countries with their exhibits under one roof is quite impressive,” said Alawi Sumait, deputy mayor of Jeddah for projects, who opened the expo.

Overseas exhibitors from countries including Canada, China and the United States are taking part alongside a large number of local companies. A seminar organized by the Saudi Quality Council is being held together with the exhibition.

“The exhibition is well timed,” said Abdul Rahman Al-Ghamdi, a member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It’s being held when there is an ongoing boom in the construction and interiors sectors, and the vast variety of products and services on display should be of immense benefit to all local builders and suppliers.”

A number of exhibitors are launching new products or utilizing the platform to increase brand awareness at the annual show.

“It’s an unrivaled exhibition in an unparalleled market,” said a major Thai exhibitor.

Saudi Arabia is the largest market in the Middle East for both construction and interiors.

Buoyed by recent high demand, the Saudi construction industry has been contributing in excess of five percent to the country’s GDP, with billions of dollars being poured into construction and infrastructure projects across the Kingdom.

Landmark projects, increased state expenditure, prosperous businesses and affluent consumers provide huge opportunities.

The Kingdom is providing opportunities for business in all areas of the building and interiors industry, particularly in the development of King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh and five other economic cities in the country.

These are expected to be completed by 2020 at a cost of over $110 billion. The private sector is also increasingly involved in all areas of tourism, housing, hotels, leisure and shopping facilities.

The exhibition is divided into separate building and interiors sections. The building section showcases materials and hardware, climate control, construction equipment and tools, electricity and lighting, environmental conservation, marble, granite and stone, technology, safety, security and fire prevention, water technology and waste management. The interiors sections is concerned with hotels and leisure, office environments, outdoors and landscape design, schools and hospitals, shopping malls and restaurants and the home.

“Like in the previous SBIE shows, this 19th showcase for the industry is also marked by exhibitors introducing new products and services specifically to meet the needs of the construction boom that continues unabated,” said Zahoor Siddique, exhibitions director for Al-Harithy, which organized the annual event.

“Like last year, when the event recorded 20,000 high-profile visitors, we are hopeful of a big turnout of businessmen and professionals this time round.”

The exhibition is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for industry businessmen, traders and professionals until Wednesday.