Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras Monday opened Saudi Building & Interiors Exhibition (SBIE) 2015, which showcases the latest products and services in the construction industry.

After the ribbon-cutting formality, the mayor toured the expo at Jeddah’s Centre for Forums & Events. He briefed on the exhibits ranging from construction materials to equipment and technologies used in the sectors of building and interiors.

Commenting on the driving force behind the continuous growth of SBIE, the mayor said: “By bringing together a huge cluster of local, regional and international companies to Jeddah year after year, SBIE has established its role in bringing about new technologies and experiences, creating partnerships and boosting commercial trade.”

The four-day event showcases materials and hardware, climate control, construction equipment and tools, electricity and lighting, environmental maintenance, marble, granite and stone, technology preservation, security and fire prevention, water technology and waste management. Wood machinery and interior furnishings are also among the exhibits.

More than 300 participants representing Bahrain, China, France, Egypt, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Taiwan and Turkey, and a number of Saudi companies and manufacturers, agents and distributors are among the exhibitors.

“The expo in its 24th edition is an ideal marketing platform to display the latest trends and technologies available to the market,” said Zahoor Siddique, VP-exhibitions of Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, the organizer of the expo. He added that the construction sector is growing annually at 10 percent.

The five-day exhibition is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. until May 14.