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N behalf of the JCCI Secretary-General Hassan Dahlan, Mohammed Al-Saed, Deputy Secretary-General, inaugurated the 26th annual Saudi Building & Interiors Exhibition (SBIE) opened at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events on Saturday (March 18). The event runs until today (March 21).

Opening to the general public between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The expo sees the participation of more than 300 vendors from China and Egypt, with support from their respective governments, as well as many more from Europe and the Arab world, and the national agents of major manufacturers.

They are expected to showcase a wide variety of products and services that target retailers, construction professionals and designers across the Gulf Cooperation Council, creating a major opportunity for Saudi and international manufacturers, dealers, and wholesalers to explore the endless business prospects in the bustling national construction sector.

The expo is highly anticipated by engineers, architects, designers, interior decorators, and hospitality and health care executives who seek the best products and services required for the multitude of ongoing and future public and private projects in the Kingdom.

Additionally, the event is an ideal platform for the local and international business communities to network, establish joint ventures, make deals, and build or bolster business ties with dealers, wholesalers, and retailers. Construction professionals will find the expo a great learning experience where they can get up to speed with the latest industry trends and products and services.

Construction is at the forefront of Saudi Vision 2030, as the Saudi government continues to fund infrastructure projects and invest heavily in new ports, railways, roads and airports all over the Kingdom.

The government aims to take full advantage of these investments through partnerships with the private sector, as well as securing agreements with global partners, to develop national infrastructures and link them with their counterparts overseas. More than 80 mega-projects, each worth at least $1 billion, are under way or planned for completion by 2030.

As Saudi Arabia remains the Middle East’s favorite destination for real estate developers the outlook for construction remains bright, driven by increasing demand for housing, itself driven by the government’s aim to promote home ownership among Saudis, as well as strong government expenditure on infrastructure.

The Saudi construction, interiors, and construction materials is, by far, the region’s largest, with boundless opportunities that range from business to housing, hospitality, education, healthcare, and retail. According to some estimates, the interior decoration materials sector alone is expected to grow by a whopping 13.7 percent in 2017. — SG