The Big 5 Heavy and Cityscape Abu Dhabi reviews
Strong showings for both events in the UAE
The Big 5 Heavy debuts at DWTC
The Big 5 Heavy welcomed 6,000+ visitors and hosted 300+ exhibitors in its inaugural edition
In its launch edition, The Big 5 Heavy welcomed over 6,000 visitors to the Dubai World Trade Centre. When asked, 90% of visitors said they would return next year. The event brought together 300+ exhibitors across 7,000 sqm of specialised exhibition space and is now the largest event dedicated to heavy machinery in the Middle East.
“When combined, deals that were made at The Big 5 Heavy between leading manufacturers like Total Foundation Solutions, Deewan and Putzmeister came in at a total of $2.5 million,” comments Event Director for The Big 5 Heavy, Richard Pavitt. “The event this year was a visually stunning crowd pleaser. And as for the deals, well, they support a growing infrastructure industry in the Middle Eastern region.”
Andrea Bristot, Middle East Area Sales Manager for leading Spanish tower crane manufacturer Linden Comansa, agrees: “During the three days of the show, we were very busy with customers and potential buyers not only from the Emirates but also from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, which shows that the entire region is under an evident recovery. Another good indicator is that the world’s main tower crane manufacturers were at The Big 5 Heavy show.”
The exhibition showcased heavy equipment from a range of industries, with product variety including concrete, mining and construction. In addition to mega tyre displays, scaffolding structures, tower cranes and heavy vehicle spectacles, there were also over 40 free learning opportunities for visitors.
Speaker Omar Essam Barakat, Dubai Novus Chairperson for the Chartered Institute of Building, concludes: “Events like this should be mandatory for professionals to come and see, and companies should be encouraging their employees to come and visit – it’s a must.”
The Big 5 Heavy is organised by dmg events and will return to the Dubai World Trade Centre 14-16 January, 2019.
Cityscape Abu Dhabi
More than $4 billion of new projects showcased for the first time
Reaffirming its position as the leading real estate and investment event for the capital, the UAE’s top developers chose the 12th edition of Cityscape Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to showcase their new flagship projects for the first time. Bringing together more than 100 local and international exhibitors, it provided the platform for the launch of numerous flagship real estate projects with an estimated worth of over $4bn.
Alghadeer by Aldar Properties – $2.72bn
The first affordable new mixed-use project of Abu Dhabi’s leading property developers is located close to the Kizad Free Zone, Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport and the Expo 2020 site. The project consists of 14,408 units, including villas, townhouses and maisonettes, which will be delivered over a period of 15 years.
MAG EYE by Mag Lifestyle Development – $1.27bn
MAG EYE is a master planned townhouse and villa community in Meydan District Seven in Mohammed Bin Rashid City. Built in close proximity to Meydan Racecourse, with easy access to Al Khail and Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Roads, MAG EYE is centrally located within a few minutes’ drive of major leisure and shopping destinations in Dubai.
Jewelz by Danube Properties – $81.6m
Located in the Arjan area in Dubai, Jewelz is an affordable luxurious residential project composed of 463 units featuring studio, one- and two- bedroom apartments. Jewelz offers a wide range of leisure facilities including a spa, a swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, a multipurpose hall, a jogging track, a barbecue area and a badminton court. It also has an advanced technological system to enhance the protection and security of residents.
Running in parallel to the exhibition, the Cityscape Abu Dhabi Conference took place during the first day of the show, under the theme: ‘Rewriting the Rule Book – Generating Growth in Abu Dhabi Real Estate’. The four main sessions were: Real Estate Industry Trends in 2018, The 4th Industrial Revolution, Investment in Abu Dhabi, and Affordable Housing.
A speaker at the conference, Muhammed Binghatti, CEO and Head of Architecture at Binghatti Developers, believes continued investment in real estate is playing a key role in sustaining the emirate as the government expands its efforts to diversify revenue streams.
He said, “The market’s performance has been improving since Abu Dhabi’s government is taking several measures aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing the extensive dependence on oil prices and the recurring impacts that may accompany it. More funds have been invested in sectors such as health, energy, tourism and transport and manufacturing. Additionally, Abu Dhabi offers a profitable environment for investors as it is strengthened by high-quality infrastructure, 100% exemption from income and corporate tax, and a high political stability.”
