"We are wonderstruck by the big boom in the Saudi construction sector and are immensely pleased with our participation" was the general remark from the exhibitors.

"We feel greatly rewarded in terms of interactions with local businessmen and traders, and knowing the requirements of this most important and  potentially expanding market," Heri Subowo of Jakarta-based Indo Agro Industri said. Subowo said garden furniture, mosaic stones and marbles, and handicraft items manufactured by his company received tremendous inquiries. "We are also planning to set up a model Indonesian house with the latest furnishings that will be continuously updated, at Jeddah's ever-busy Balad business district," he said.

Eduardo Tena Recalde, technical sales executive at Aceros, Spain, also a first time exhibitor, said he had been taking part in some of similar exhibitions the world over and found this a useful addition. "I came here because the Saudi economy is strong, stable and buoyant, and has a booming construction industry. I am going back fully satisfied," said Recalde whose company is a specialist in varieties of shock resistant corrosion-free steel, especially stone crushers for the cement industry. Another Spanish exhibitor, Jon Arcelus, export executive at MEIN-Fundicion En Cascara, S.A. expressed similar sentiments. "I'm greatly impressed by the exhibition and the quality turnout of visitors," Arcelus added.

Emiel B. Bleyenberg, managing director of the Netherlands-based TGS-The Grab Specialist BV, said the range of grabbing equipment used on construction sites showcased in the exhibition received many inquiries. "I'm sure to go back with some business proposals," said the Dutch participant, also a first timer. Asked whether he found any local dealer or agent for his products, Bleyenberg said: "I don't need to do that in this age of Internet and online trading. Moreover, Holland is just five-six hours away by air. Any way, this was a good opportunity for me to exhibit the range of grabs for construction purposes we design, manufacture and repair and will be repeatedly coming back to the show and the country."

A participant from the United Arab Emirates was full of smiles that reflected his successful participation in the exhibition. "Our presence in this market is strong, but we want it to be much more strong and so we are here," said Mohammad Abdul Aziz, sales manager of Alba Tower Aluminium Factory Ltd., Dubai. Josh Kuriakose, assistant director-ceiling division at Dubai-based R.A.M. Metal Industries LLC's PROFEX Metal Products, expressed similar views. "We have already executed orders for the Ministry of Health, providing special metal doors and ceilings, sky ceilings and access panels for its various specialist departments like Citi Scan and MRI departments, and other health care facilities," he said.

Among Chinese participants was Hengda Group's Wuhu Hengda Sheeting Metal Co. Ltd. "We have received a good number of business proposals and hope to come back again for the show next year," Rachel Zhu, its international department executive, said.

Showcasing his craftsmanship was Sheikh Abdul Rab of United Arts, Lucknow, India, displaying a range of items made from camel bone and sandalwood carvings. "I belong to a family that is making a wide range of such items for more than 10 generations and all the craftsmen have been decorated with national and international awards for their craftsmanship," said Rab.

By far, the most important section that interested machinery traders and importers was the Machinery Showcase. Li Yi, senior regional manager at China-based LiuGong Machinery Corporation with its Middle East FZE office in Jebel Ali, Dubai, said the company's machinery including pneumatic tire forklifts, excavators and loaders received many inquiries and business proposals. "The construction sector in the Kingdom is booming and we look forward to many lucrative business deals," said Yi. "For more than 50 years, LiuGong Machinery Corporation has been a leader in China's construction equipment manufacturing industry. From building the country's first modern wheel loader, LiuGong has evolved to become one of the fastest growing, global, full-line CE companies in the world. LiuGong delivers opportunity to its employees, quality products and services to its customers, financial success to its investors, and community support in the regions it serves," he added.

Expressing similar views was Mohammed Atia Nosser, and engineer and service manager at Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Sons Co.'s vehicle and machinery branch, which represents machinery from LiuGong, TEREX and JIATAI.

Aside from China and the UAE, countries including Turkey and Malaysia had their dedicated pavilions. Other participants were from Egypt, Hong Kong and Lebanon with their most advanced products and services. There was an increased focus this time on value engineering and Green buildings.

Organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), the annual event was marked by an engineering symposium with the participation of some of the best-known experts in the field as speakers and presenters.

Hosted by the Engineering & Construction Interest Group of Saudi Quality Council-Western Region in collaboration with ACE, experts including Waleed Attar of Geology & Mining, Hafidh Al-Samorraei of IEE, Abdullah Al-Saif of Petrorabigh, and Saleh Al-Asheash and Abdullah Khojah, both of CVS VE Chapter, dealt with a number of issues related to building materials and sustainability, intelligent and friendly buildings, cost management, and value engineering and green buildings.

"The exhibition was bigger and more successful this time," Zahoor Siddique, vice president exhibitions at ACE, said. What brought so many exhibitors to the show was the opportunity available in the ongoing construction boom and development plan. Saudi Arabia's $650 billion 9th Development Plan - which has triggered the ongoing construction activity all over the Kingdom, including the construction of world's tallest tower that is under way in Jeddah and the execution of new economic cities - has created a lot of interest among local and foreign manufacturers and investors, he added.

The event was held with the support of Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, and opened on his behalf by Mohammed Al Wafi, director at the Jeddah Governorate.

The organizers, ACE, announced the next edition of Saudi Building & Interiors and Construction Machinery Showcase will be scheduled from April 22-25, 2013.