São Paulo – The 17th International Construction Industry Fair (Feicon), organised by Reed Exhibitions Alcântara Machado, is scheduled to take place from March 24th to 28th, at Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion, in São Paulo. In this edition, the fair should include 650 exhibitors from 21 countries and around 2,000 releases to be presented to over 170,000 visitors. Among them, as was the case in previous editions, Arab buyers from the Middle East and North Africa.
According to Jair Saponari, fair director at Reed Exhibitions Alcântara Machado, Feicon 2009 should repeat the success of the prior editions, "as the fair is already ready to take place and the sector should continue growing in 2009, although shyly. Apart from that, business fairs are excellent opportunities as sources for information and technical releases for a great number of qualified visitors and foreign buyers," he pointed out.
According to figures supplied by the National Association of Building Material Tradesmen (Anamoco), the sector ended the year with growth of 9.5% over 2007. Building material retail revenues in 2008 totalled 43.23 billion reals (US$ 18.2 billion). The figures reflect the behaviour of shops in the salves volume.
To the president at Anamoco, Claudio Conz, the estimate is for growth of 8.5% in retail sales this year. "I am sure that we will grow similarly to what is forecasted for China in the same period," he said. According to the executive, the number of works released and sold last year, whose contracts must be complied with, should generate the need for consumption of building material.
This factor is also valid for works that are in progress and cannot be interrupted. "Studies show that, with the completion of works started by construction companies, which represents 23% of total consumption of material, growth in sales should reach around 4%," explained the organisation’s president.
Expectations of the Building Material, Machinery, Paint, Ceramics and Glass Retail Union (Sincomavi) are still for market growth. "The excellent results obtained last year should not be repeated in 2009. However, initial estimates point to sales growth of between 2% and 5%, logically depending on the unfolding of the crisis," explained Reinaldo Pedro Correa, the organisation’s president.
According to him, many residential buildings should be delivered and will need to be redone for adaptation to the needs of residents. Furthermore, Greater São Paulo is continuing its expansion and should count on new investment. "We are sure that the Federal Government should take the necessary measures to contain the negative effects of the global economic conjecture, providing incentives to consumption, trade and civil construction," added Correa.
Feicon is part of the International Week of Construction in São Paulo, which also promotes several parallel events, like the Brazilian Building Material Seminar ANAMACO 2009, the 5th SINCOMAVI Symposium, Sustainable Cities – Practical Concepts and Applications, the Critical Factors for Success in Civil Construction Seminar – Coordination of Projects and Planning and Work Control, and the International Forum on Sports Architecture, among others.
Turned to architects, decorators, engineers, real estate enterprises, building material retailers, consultants and consumers interested in building and redoing, Feicon is the main event in the sector in Latin America. Among the news that visitors may find are: profiles, doors, metals, paints, varnishes and accessories for painting, showers and heaters, bathroom metals and accessories, tiles, furniture, bathtubs, lighting, lamps in general, switches, and electric cords and cables.
Service
Feicon
Date: 24th to 28th March 2009
Time: 10 am to 7 pm
Site: Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion – Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1,209 – São Paulo
Site: www.feicon.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
