As the third instalment of INTERMAT Middle East draws ever closer, PMV explains why it’s time once again to don some comfortable footwear and get your business cards at the ready.
The new year has barely begun and already it’s time for some trade show fun. From 14 to 16 January, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will play host to INTERMAT Middle East 2014. When it comes to construction events, bigger tends to be better, but it is the quality and not the quantity of exhibitors that ultimately attracts visitors.
With 20,000m2 of floor space to explore and a predicted 7,500 international buyers in attendance, INTERMAT 2014 is unlikely to disappoint in terms of volume. Here are a few other reasons why the Middle East’s construction community is currently finalising its Abu Dhabi travel arrangements.
According to a recent report published by global built asset consultancy EC Harris, the UAE is projected to spend $329bn on construction projects by 2030.
It is predicted that the prevalence of the country’s largest individual projects – those that cost more than $1bn – will peak in 2016, with $40bn worth of construction expected during that year.
It seems that the third incarnation of INTERMAT Middle East is being held in the right place at the right time.
The global economic crisis might have hit the region hard, but GCC countries are coming back fighting, according to this year’s exhibitors. CIFA’s service and field manager for the Gulf area Diego Bertati told INTERMAT organisers why he is optimistic about the future.
“In Saudi Arabia, we know there are very big projects to build new cities, so perspectives are good,” he said. “For the UAE we think that, after the boom in 2007 to 2008, we should see a stable market for the coming years, especially with the upcoming Expo 2020 in Dubai.”
This sentiment is echoed by LiuGong Machinery Middle East president York Liang.
“With the rebuilding project for Iraq in development and the World Cup to be held in Qatar, we see Iraq and Qatar as the two major countries in the Middle East that would show growth in terms of construction,” he explained. “Of course, the UAE will also be on the list now that it has won the bid for Expo 2020.”
In a resurgent market such as this, it is integral that brands reach out to customers in order to spread awareness of their products.
“INTERMAT Middle East is the only event purely dedicated to construction equipment in the UAE, and is normally at the beginning of the year,” said Doosan Infracore’s Gaby Rhayem.
“This allows customers to have better visibility of their needs for the full year, and to select which new products or brands to go for.”
As INTERMAT business development manager Muhammad Awais Niazi told PMV the show has been crafted to meet the demands and requirements of attendees. With 150 exhibitors and both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, he is confident that the show will be the best yet.
“INTERMAT Middle East is the flagship and only dedicated international exhibition in the whole Middle Eastern market for the PMV industry,” Niazi commented.
With an exhibitor list boasting some of the biggest global names from the PMV industry, it seems that INTERMAT Middle East will offer both quantity and quality.
INTERMAT 2014 PMV exhibitors:
– Al-Futtaim Logistics
– Bobcat
– Genavco
– Hidromek
– Isuzu
– Montabert
– Powerscreen
– Sennebogen
– Shantui
– XGMA
