The Saudi Construction Show
The Saudi Construction Show, held in Riyadh last month, was the Kingdom’s first and largest outdoor construction exhibition to date, with big brands selling equipment worth SR1 billion
One market that has proven to be continually robust is Saudi Arabia’s. Currently the largest construction market in the region, official figures estimate its value will reach US$63 billion by 2012.
From March 21-25, the biggest international brands including JCB, Saudi Diesel Equipment, Rolaco, Kanoo and Zahid Tractor took over a 40,000 square meter combined indoor and outdoor exhibition space to tap the opportunities such a lucrative market brings.Over the course of the week they sold equipment worth SR1 billion.
Commenting that he had received congratulatory messages from visitors and exhibitors alike, marketing director Raz Islam commented: “One exhibitor sold so many machines the forecourt was like a showroom.”
“Every time anybody does an exhibition in Riyadh they have to go through the exhibitions centre. When we approached the government for a licence there was no process in place as nobody has ever done a show on this scale before. I think that, in my opinion, that’s why the show was a success,” he commented.
One exhibitor sold so many machines the forecourt was like a showroom”
The Saudi Construction Show was licensed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the exhibition located at Khurais and Sheikh Jaber Road.
Terex Middle East had their most successful event to date in the region as an exhibitor, signing deals worth more than €6million.
Another element of the success was that the show was built to demand. Islam’s market research over the last year indicated the total value of construction contracts and projects in 2011 to be worth almost SR322 billion.
“Over all for year one we are very happy and we would like to say thank you to everyone who supported us. We hope improve and do something bigger and better next year,” Islam said.
