An estimated $4.2 trillion worth of construction projects is currently ongoing in the Middle East and North Africa region, or Mena, with the UAE representing the biggest slice of that at $698 billion. With sectors such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, expecting to see an annual growth of nine per cent over the next three years, the opportunities being presented across the region continue to remain at the forefront of the world's construction industry. This will be in focus at this year's edition of The Big 5, taking place from November 5-8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. An event with more than 30 years of history, it has grown to become the largest of its kind for the building and construction industry, and a truly international stage for the Middle East industry. Countries from around the world have also identified this benefit, with pavilions from 30 countries including Italy, Germany, the US, Turkey, the UK, Spain and France . "Specific product sectors have grown to become extremely important for the event," event director Andy White said. "A number of these sectors are expected to present particularly significant opportunities over the next three years, and with this in mind, we have ensured products are very much focused upon throughout the event." Last year's event saw a move towards a product sectorised show, making it as simple as possible for participants to access products and services that they are interested in. With the GCC HVAC industry worth around $6.4 billion it is not surprising that this sector represents the biggest at the event, with some of leading brands from across the industry, including Leminar, Primeco, Energy International Duro Dyne, Gree, Eros and TCL. Another sector with increased presence at the 2012 event is kitchen and bathrooms, with the UAE market size for these materials in 2012 reaching nearly $1.2 billion, a 3.5 per cent increase from 2010. Exhibitors including RAK Ceramics, Emirates Ceramics, Porcellan, Sanipex, Bold International, Du Pont and Saudi Ceramics will all be looking to capitalise on such opportunities. "There is a definite trend to this year's event in terms of growing product sectors, as you would expect, HVAC is the biggest of those here in this region. With the eurozone crisis and a slowing down of industry across countries affected by these challenges, the Middle East's influence in construction has become a key focus for the world's industry and our exhibitors come here to do serious business," White said. Khaleej Times
