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Middle East demand for construction machinery soars as huge regional development continues.

 
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21 May 2007

Middle East demand for construction machinery will increase by up to 20% over the next five years as the region forges ahead with an unprecedented level of development.

The Gulf countries alone account for more than 2,100 existing and planned projects currently valued at US$1.2 trillion, and this figure will rise as the Middle East continues with its enormous infrastructure and expansion plans.

All this activity has turned the region into the world's biggest market for plant, construction vehicles, machinery and equipment, and manufacturers and suppliers will have a new opportunity to capitalise on the boom later this year when the major industry showcase, the Big 5, takes on a new dimension.

Massive development means a growing demand for construction machinery.
Massive development means a growing demand for construction machinery.

Taking place at the Airport Expo Dubai from 25-29 November as part of the Middle East's most influential construction and contracting event, the Big 5 PMV will provide the ideal platform for plant, machinery, construction vehicles and equipment suppliers to meet face to face with key buyers from across the region and overseas.

Covering a minimum of 10,000 sq meters of exhibition space in its first year and expected to grow rapidly, the Big 5 PMV will feature an impressive international exhibitor line up, including Al Bahar (Caterpillar), Terex Equipment Middle East (Genie Industries Tele handlers), Imer Group as well as other big name suppliers and service providers from the global construction sector.

The value of the new event is highlighted by rising demand for construction related machinery, equipment and vehicles in the UAE, which has approximately US$300 billion worth of active projects using about 30,000, or 24%, of the world's 125,000 construction cranes.

"We're launching this new event as part of the Big 5 in direct response to industry demand," said Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group, which is organising the Big 5 PMV in conjunction with dmg World Media. "A dedicated arena for buyers to experience the latest innovations first-hand, the Big 5 PMV will allow suppliers ample indoor and outdoor exhibition space to showcase their products and services to key construction industry professionals, engineers, consultants and contractors."

Bernard Walsh of dmg World Media says: "We have received tremendous feedback from our Big 5 exhibitors and visitors and we recognize that there is a clear and defined need for an area solely dedicated to heavy equipment and vehicles. To date we haven't been able to satisfy this important market segment due to space constraints; however we are now happy to announce that we can".

According to Construction World magazine, in 2005 the UAE's market for heavy construction machinery stood at US$190 million, road construction machinery at US$176 million and earth moving machinery at US$150 million.

Growth of 15-20 per cent is forecast over the next five years as developers splash out on the extra machinery and equipment needed to build airports, ports, mega resorts, theme parks, residential and commercial cities, and huge man-made islands. Meanwhile annual market demand for used machinery in the Middle East as a whole is valued at over US$1.5 billion

The Big 5 PMV also has the support of key international organisations including Comamoter - the Italian Earthmoving Machinery Association, UBIFRANCE - French Foreign Trade Council and the UK's Construction Equipment Association.

The event will feature a series of seminars and interactive workshops providing trade professionals with an educational and informative platform to share best practice, learn about the latest developments and discuss solutions to regional issues. Sessions will cover Health & Safety, Specialist Construction Equipment and Techniques as well as Environmental issues. The seminars are free of charge and available on a first come first served basis.



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