For the first time features a B2B matchmaking exercise

Mohammad Al Hussaini

Saudi Build 2010 and Saudi Stone-Tech 2010, claimed to be the biggest business-to-business construction and stone technology event in the region, have recently concluded with 18,000 visitors and 900 exhibitors from 35 countries taking part in it, said an announcement. The four-day event, held at the Riyadh International Exhibition Centre, reaffirmed the status of Saudi Build & Saudi Stone-Tech as the Middle East’s premier construction technology and building material exhibition, while reinforcing the position of Saudi Arabia as a lucrative business destination of leading suppliers and solution providers in the global construction sector, it added.

Saudi Build 2010 – the 22nd International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, covered the full range of industry topics related to construction material and equipment, air conditioning, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, concrete and steel technologies, and “green” construction technologies, the organisers said. It also featured The PMV Series 2010, the international exhibition for construction equipment, plant, machinery and vehicles.

Concurrently held, Saudi Stone-Tech 2010, the 13th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, showcased products ranging from marble slabs to mosaics as well as computerised stone-cutting, quarrying and polishing machinery and equipment.

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Dr Mansour Bin Miteb Bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Municipal & Rural Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Build/Stone 2010 was inaugurated by Prince Dr Abdul Aziz Bin Ayaf Al-Muqrin. The event featured for the first time a B2B matchmaking exercise, which allowed companies to network with more than 50 industry peers from Europe and Australia, said the organisers claimed.

Prince Dr Abdul Aziz Bin Ayaf Al-Muqrin inaugurates Saudi Build 2010

Commenting on the event, Mohammed Al Hussaini, Deputy General Manager, Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said: “The remarkable success of Saudi Build 2010 has reaffirmed its position as the premier platform that supports the sustainable growth of the region’s construction industry. The business-to-business matchmaking initiative, in particular, was widely appreciated along with the various innovations we have introduced this year. This year’s edition has certainly opened new opportunities and possibilities for local, regional and global industry players, who are now looking forward to take advantage of excellent business networking opportunities of the next edition of Saudi Build/Stone in 2011.”

Giovanni Luca Atena, head of the Italian pavilion, added: “A total of 47 Italian companies participated at the event, including 16 that are under the Italian Trade Commission. I believe that the strong participation of Italian companies manifests a growing focus on Saudi Arabia as an attractive and lucrative market and investment destination.”