Dubai – Larger than in 2011, featuring more sustainable products, and more influential on the United Arab Emirates’ neighbouring countries. This is the 2012 edition of the Middle East’s largest civil construction exhibition, the Big 5 Show, which opened this Monday (5th) in Dubai. This edition is 7% bigger than 2011’s, according to the event’s director Andy White. This year’s edition is also seeing increased presence of neighbouring Arab countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, whose real estate markets should grow fast over the next few years. Brazilian companies have a chance to increase their operations in the region.
According to White, Big 5 2012 is bigger in all aspects. The 7% growth that he mentions concerns the number of exhibitors, the area covered, and a wider range of products. Over 40,000 people have registered for this fair. In 2011 we had 30,000. “In addition to having more products and variety, this fair has a broader program; we will have seminars and talks. Everything to help the exhibitors sell more,” White told ANBA.
The Big 5 is not just larger than last year. Each time, the products, techniques and services shown at the fair get more sustainable. The pressure for this to happen, says White, comes from the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “There is a lot of renewal going on in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai has also stepped up regulations (concerning project sustainability) starting in 2004. This is important, because it affects energy consumption, air conditioning systems, and reduces water consumption. It is very significant, and that influences construction in other countries, because weather conditions are harsher and water is scarcer here. Whatever can be done here can be done anywhere,” he said.
White also said that even though 56% of Big 5 visitors are representatives of Emirati organizations, 43% are from the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “The success of the fair is also due to the presence of people from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, countries whose real estate market is picking up speed. That applies especially to the Saudis,” he said.
Opportunities for Brazilians
Seven Brazilian companies are participating in the Big 5 this year: machinery supplier Menegotti, exotic granite manufacturer Pettrus, Tramontina (sink bowls), Astra (siphons, showers and flush tanks, among others), Deca (metal sanitary ware), Universo Tintas and Pado (padlocks). These companies are exhibiting at the Brazilian booth, organized through a partnership between the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil).
To the Arab Brazilian Chamber CEO, Michel Alaby, Brazilian companies can expect to do good business. “Expectations are good because the Middle East civil construction industry is booming,” he said.
Apex Brazil president Mauricio Borges said that in past editions, the Big 5 suffered due to the world economic crisis, but believes that this year, the event has grown because the local economy is bouncing back. He also says Brazilian companies are likely to close deals because the Middle Eastern market recognizes that Brazilian product has the same quality as its European counterparts.
“Our product is unquestionable, that is why it can lead to further business. Our presence at the event shows that Brazil believes in this market, and is a partner of the Arabs,” said Borges. The fair will continue until next Thursday (8th).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
