This year, Saudi Build operated under the theme, ‘Capture the Kingdom’s Leading Construction Opportunities,’ throwing the spotlight on swimming pools and accessories, timber frames, and water and heat installation as well as wood products.
With over 16,000 construction professionals visiting this years Saudi Build, Shahid Bhatti, marketing specialist at Riyadh Exhibitions told Construction Business News ME that it was the spot for “ample networking opportunities”.
Bhatti described Saudi Arabia’s unique cultural landscape as a reason behind the directed growth in the Kingdom’s construction industry.
He said: “This is especially evident in the government’s initiative to redevelop Mecca’s Grand Mosque as well as construct a wide range of accommodation options to address the needs of pilgrims, all of which represent a total investment of $27bn.”
The Kingdom is now known to be the largest construction sector in the Gulf, and holds immense potential with a spending of over $1.2 trillion on development projects in the last five years.
According to Bhatti, the Kingdom is sure to continue with this positive trend as the state is actively working to enhance the competitive advantage of its contracting community. In addition, he suggested Saudisation, a policy developed to encourage Saudi Nationals to play more active roles in the private sector, is being implemented to ensure the country’s economic independence from oil. “This initiative will also generate more investment and attention towards the construction sector.”
He also factored in the dynamic and young population of the Kingdom with those under 40 representing 70% of the population.