The show is being held under the patronage of Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb at the Riyadh International Exhibition and Convention Centre. It is expected to attract 30,000 business visitors over the next three days.
Around SR562.5 billion ($150 billion) worth of private sector investments in real estate projects are estimated in the Kingdom. This year’s show — which is being held for the 22nd time in succession — has attracted over 900 exhibitors from 35 countries, representing a 30 percent increase in participation over the previous year.
The event covers a full range of industry topics related to construction and equipment management; air-conditioning; electrical, mechanical and civil engineering; concrete and steel technologies; and green construction technologies and techniques.
The expo is being held concurrently with Saudi Stone-Tech 2010, the 13th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, which displays products ranging from marble slabs to mosaics and display computerized stone cutting, quarrying and polishing machinery and equipment.
“Construction market activity in the GCC is now increasingly being focused on the Kingdom in view of the relatively slow performance in other markets,” said Mohammad Al-Hussaini, deputy general manager of the Riyadh Exhibitions Company.
“Major development projects throughout the Kingdom would contribute to a healthy growth rate of up to 7 percent annually in the construction sector,” he said, adding that the government real estate expenditure is set to hit SR1.5 trillion in the next five years.
Saudi Build 2010 is supported by more than 20 international trade authorities and associations and will also receive 16 pavilions. Exhibition space has been expanded to reach 27,000 square meters to accommodate the increased number of participants.
Mohammed Al-Shoail, president of the Riyadh-based Absal Steel Company, whose company has a pavilion, said that there is growing demand for steel during the next five years because of the major construction works that are being carried out in the Kingdom.
It will include for the first time in Saudi Arabia a B2B matchmaking exercise during the exhibition, allowing companies to network with more than 50 industry peers from Europe and Australia.
The matchmaking sessions will introduce local companies to the latest construction-related products and technology and will facilitate the signing of contracts with international companies that are participating in the event.
A major part of Saudi Build is The PMV Series 2010, the international exhibition for construction equipment, plant, machinery and vehicles. PMV will cover a combined indoor and outdoor area of more than 5,000 square meters displaying the latest construction heavy machinery and equipment.
