The Big 5 Kuwait 2015 registers record footfall on opening day

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16 Sep 2015

The Big 5 Kuwait 2015, the country’s largest international construction exhibition, opened to an overwhelming visitor response which saw the attendance of local dignitaries, industry leaders, and government officials.

The first day registered a record footfall of people from the construction sector, including architects, contractors, engineers, interior designers, procurement managers, real estate developers, and government sector employees.

The day’s spotlight was on ‘Building Interiors Products Zone’ and an open-air ‘Plant, Machinery and Vehicles Zone’ to preview new technologies and services, witness products launches, and participate in live demonstration.

The highlight of the day was theperformance of diggers (backhoes) famous throughout the world as ‘Dancing Digger Show’organized by JCB Middle East for the first time in Kuwait, the leader in construction machinery, along with Local Partner Riham General Trading Co. A team of expert backhoe operators organized well-orchestrated and enthralling stunt performances of diggers, including driving a machine under a machine raised up on its hydraulic arms. The show demonstrated to visitors the versatility and performance of the JCB machines.

Ashley Roberts, Event Director, The Big 5 Kuwait, said: “The Big 5 Kuwait 2015 opened to a warm response from industry figures, decision makers, and businessmen who eagerly wait for the exhibition all through the year. We are committed to positively contribute towards the development of Kuwait’s construction sector and are delighted to provide a vast platform for local and regional industry people to source cutting-edge building construction solutions directly from suppliers and manufacturers. In addition, CPD-accredited workshops were well-received on day one, ensuring packed session for the next two days.”

The visitors showed tremendous interest in 20 free-to-attend workshops that offer attendees continuing professional development (CPD) credits. Delivered by industry professionals and market experts, these seminars enable participants to upgrade their skills and knowledge to remain ahead of the competition in an ever-evolving business landscape. Day 2 will focus on topics such as ‘Estimating True Life Cycle Cost of green Building,’ ‘Project Life Cycle Analysis Tools and Applications,’ ‘Effective Cost Control in Construction Projects,’ and ‘Health and Safety in Construction Masterclass.’

Subbarao Gavirneni, President – Klimak said, “This is not only our first time to participate in The Big 5 Kuwait but also in any exhibition ever. Our company specializes in air handling units and we have been in the business for the last 30 years. We are participating in the exhibition to address the demand for these products in Kuwait. So far, we are satisfied with the show and look forward to meet more visitors in the coming days. The Kuwaiti construction sector is booming, especially with the development of hospitals, the airport, and other key infrastructure. We are hopeful of a positive outcome from our inclusion in The Big 5 Kuwait 2015.”

“This year’s edition of The Big 5 Kuwait is really promising. It has grown almost 45 to 55 per cent from last year and we are glad to see more National Pavilions such as those of Italy and China. We have invited many of our manufacturers from all over the world, including Italy, Germany, USA, Qatar, Austria and Greece. Kuwait in general is a very good market for us and our manufacturers, and we have participated in the show to showcase the different brands we represent. Moreover, it is an ideal platform to inform potential as well as existing customers that we cater to some of the biggest sectors and explain how we integrate these sectors. We are upbeat that in the next 5 years, we will witness a robust housing sector, similar to the current boom in the infrastructure sector. In addition, we hope that the water treatment sector will gain importance in the coming years” added Eng. Sachin Tomar, Director - GFS Group of Companies.

Furthermore, the half-day seminar on ‘How to Trade in Kuwait’ was an instant hit among investors, businessmen, and entrepreneurs, as it enlightened them about how to establish a business in the country. The session provided practical advice to those looking to set up an enterprise in Kuwait to ensure they enter the market efficiently. The concluding day will feature CPD-certified workshops on topics such as ‘Update and Overview of Kuwait’s 2035 Sustainable Energy Targets,’ ‘Kuwait’s Green Building Framework,’ and ‘Cost Effective Techniques to Reduce Water Consumption in Built Environment,’ among others.

“This is my first visit to The Big 5 Kuwait and I am highly satisfied with it. It has a great layout which includes all the elements of the construction sector, including raw materials. The reason I came here is to explore alternative manufacturers for our multiple projects such as steel structures. I was mainly looking for construction materials such as steel, wood, flooring and piping. After visiting this year’s show, I will, for sure, come back next year as I gathered lots of big ideas and knowledge from various manufacturers who have come from different parts of the world” said Ahmed Hakeem, Sales & Marketing Director of Exceed construction.

The Big 5 Kuwait 2015 will be held until September 16, 2015 at the Kuwait International Fair Ground in the capital, Kuwait City. The ongoing edition is hosting over 200 regional and international exhibitors representing more than 20 countries.

Registration is free for visitors with business cards. All workshops and seminars are free of cost and offer CPD credits. For more information, log on to www.big5kuwait.com.