The Big 5 show opens in Dubai

GCC construction projects worth US$ 2.3 trillion attracted global industry players in Dubai for the 39th edition of The Big 5 International Building and Construction Show which was inaugurated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The event runs until 29 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It comprises five exhibitions including the new HVAC R Expo and The Big 5 Solar as well as the Urban Design & Landscaping Expo (UDLE) – the region’s only event dedicated to landscaping, infrastructure and urban development.

Infrastructure and heavy construction exhibition The Big 5 Heavy returns to the event after its separate run in March earlier this years, as does Middle East Concrete (MEC) – the region’s largest event dedicated to concrete.

According to organiser dmg events, over 2,500 global exhibiting companies and more than 30 official country pavilions are displaying the latest building solutions and innovative products at the event. The broad international participation, which is expected to cater to the needs of the regional construction industry, demonstrates a growing interest in the expanding GCC market.

Research conducted by The Big 5’s intelligence partner, BNC Network, ahead of the event estimates that over 23,000 construction projects are currently active in the GCC at a value worth more than $2.3 trillion.

“The urban construction sector has the highest number of projects (18,000), with the most significant segment coming from residential, commercial and hospitality developments. With the sector having expanded by 4% in terms of value and 15% in terms of total active projects in the first half of 2018, the outlook for the GCC construction industry remains positive,” said BNC Network.

On its opening day, The Big 5 2018 introduced two new features that, “aim to advance the construction sector by embracing innovation and technology: the brand new Live Innovation Zone, hosting a selection of the most innovative products that are shaking up the construction industry today, and The Big 5’s Start-Up City, presenting the next construction tech disruptors.”

As the HVAC R market in the UAE is expected to reach a value of $1.5 billion by 2019, the launch of the HVAC R Expo promises to help the construction industry move toward a greener and more sustainable future, explained the organisers.

“HVAC R Expo brings a much-needed exposure of the state-of-the-art to the GCC HVAC R industry. It provides an opportunity to learn about the newest commercial HVAC product offering for the GCC market with a special emphasis on hot climate conditions, while offering freelearning,” added Dr Omar Abdelaziz, ASHRAE Global Training Center Instructor.

20 CPD (continuing professional development) certified workshops are also running alongside the exhibition. The complimentary HVAC R Talks are delivered by some of the most prominent industry names and decision makers. Also, training sessions delivered by the ASHRAE Global Training Center for Building Excellence run at the event are providing participants with Continuing Education Credit and a Certificate of Attendance from ASHRAE.

These Continuing Education hours may also be applied toward maintenance of LEED professional credentials.