São Paulo – Construction projects forecasted for the coming two years in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may generate a turnover of US$ 915 billion, according to estimates disclosed this week by the organizers of Big 5, the leading fair for the industry in the Middle East, held annually in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. The latter two, however, should account for 75% of that figure, according to the organizers of the fair.
This year, the event will run from November 21st to 24th. According to a statement issued by the organizers, a survey was conducted with sector representatives who have projects valued at over US$ 100 million, to learn what new features the event may offer in 2011. To the organizers, it has become clear that there is an ever-growing demand for information exchange on products and sustainability.
To that end, the fair will have a space for presentation and discussion of new products and their applications, as well as debates about “green” technologies. For some years now, the fair grants awards to eco-friendly initiatives, the Gaia Awards.
In order to expand the exchange of information, the organizers offer more than 80 free-access seminars to the participants in the fair. In addition to products, technologies and sustainability, meetings will be held on how to do business with the region, including information on how to open an office there and sign a contract with a local distributor.
“The feedback we received this year shows that we need a strong focus on products, what is new in the market and what products can help make the building processes more efficient and sustainable,” said the fair’s director, Andy White, according to the statement.
The Brazilian participation in the fair will also have new features. Aside from the pavilion with capacity for 22 companies, Brazilian exhibitors will attend a business breakfast with 150 businessmen selected by the management of the fair.
The country’s presence at the fair is part of a partnership between the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex, in the Portuguese acronym), which also provides for a Buyer Project to be promoted at the Revestir fair, in São Paulo, next year. As part of the initiative, Arab importers will be invited to visit the fair in Brazil.
A seminar will be held on August 4th, in São Paulo, to mark the launch of the Brazilian participation in the Big 5. The meeting at the Arab Brazilian Chamber auditorium is open to companies interested in exhibiting at the fair. Data will be presented on the Middle East construction industry and the Arab market in general.
Prior to that, on the 2nd, a similar seminar will be held at the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (Fiesc), in Florianópolis. Once again, the Fiesc will promote a business mission to Dubai that will include a visit to the Big 5.
Brazilian exports of building material to the Arab world generated US$ 28.13 million in revenues in the first half of this year, an increase of 105% compared with the same period of last year, according to figures supplied by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade compiled by the Arab Brazilian Chamber.
Last year, the Big 5 featured 2,150 exhibitors from 71 countries and 27 national pavilions, including Brazil’s. The fair received 45,177 visitors, according to the organizers. This year, the figures are expected to be even higher.
Further information
Arab Brazilian Chamber, with Simone Rojas
Tel.: (+55 11) 3147-4095
E-mail: simone_rojas@ccab.org.br
Chamber website: www.ccab.org.br
Fair website: www.thebig5.ae
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
