RIYADH, 29 October 2007 — Prince Mansour Ibn Miteb, deputy minister for municipal and rural affairs, inaugurated a high-profile international fair of building materials and technology here yesterday against the backdrop of the Kingdom’s booming construction sector. The six mega economic cities announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah together with some 200 major public and private sector projects will attract $250 billion capital within next few years.
“This exhibition, which has been titled as ‘Saudi Build and Stone 2007’ is featuring the whole range of building products and new technology,” said Mansour, after formally cutting the ribbon to mark the opening of this international fair at the Riyadh Exhibition Center (REC). He said “for the first time, a large number companies from different countries are displaying their innovative products and services.”
Referring to the growth of construction sector of Saudi Arabia, Mansour said that the local businessmen, builders and contractors will be largely benefited from this five-day show, which is offering new products and technology especially in construction, stone and marble sectors.
It is important to note that more than 200 construction projects are currently underway in different parts of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, whose population will exceed six million within a couple of years, will have more construction projects in near future.
Referring to the participation of a number of countries in this construction fair, an REC official said that this exhibition, the first of its kind in the Middle East, is likely “to attract some 50,000 trade and business visitors, who will eventually discover this show as an international forum for exchanging information and clinching on-the-spot business deals.” The expo can boast to have participation from more than 300 local and international companies.
These companies are displaying the whole array of products and services including air conditioning and heating, architectural products, building equipment, building materials, ceramics and sanitary ware, concrete products, electrical supplies, engineering services, environmental technology, heavy equipment, insulation, landscape models, metal works, pipes and fittings, safety and security systems, stones, marble and granites, water technology and many others.
A large number of joint venture companies in the Kingdom, as well as several local Saudi companies, are also participating in the event.
These companies have evinced keen interest to forge closer business relations, set up joint ventures and boost imports of high-tech machines and building materials.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by several Saudi officials, foreign diplomats and businessmen. China, Germany, Malaysia, Austria, India, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have the largest number of pavilions and contingents stationed at the REC, where every inch of space is booked. Many companies from Bahrain, Finland, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Oman, the Netherlands and the United States are also participating.
The exhibition is open for trade and business visitors from 4 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. daily until Nov. 1. The show will be open for families on Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.
