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“The centerpiece of the US$20 billion Downtown
Burj Dubai project, 267,426 cubic meters of
reinforced concrete and 49,684 tonnes of
reinforcing steel have already been used in the
construction of the tower, and over 3,000
workers are currently employed at the site - ten
cranes and the world's fastest high-capacity
construction hoists are being used to move men
and material.”
Alongside the world’s tallest tower,
construction of the Middle East's highest air
traffic control tower has also begun at Dubai
World Central, an urban aviation community now
taking shape at Jebel Ali in Dubai - the nearly
300-foot-high control tower, will be part of a
64,500-square-foot technical block housing
offices, operations, technical rooms and flight
simulator.
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The tower is located near the southeast end of
Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB),
which, once completed will be the world's
largest airport with six parallel 15,000-foot
runways, up to 16 cargo terminals, two
super-sized passenger terminals and six
concourses, giving it the ability to handle 120
million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo
annually.
Saudi Arabia is also pressing ahead with major
projects, the latest of which is the King
Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) close to the
business centre of Riyadh, which will be the
largest financial centre in the Middle East.
Excavation is scheduled to begin within weeks
and the first building is expected to open
around the end of 2008. When complete, it will
be the spearhead of Saudi Arabia's strategy to
promote private sector development in order to
diversify its oil-rich economy and increase
employment opportunities for its young and fast
growing population.
The very latest security, environmental and
ecological features will be integrated as a
central part of the design, and the offices,
built to internationally high standards and will
be equipped with the world's most modern
technology. The site covers 1.6 million square
metres and the development will have floor space
of around 3.3 million square metres.
“Showcasing 2,477 of the world’s leading
companies from the building and construction
industry, The 2006 edition of The Big 5 saw the
event strengthen its international credentials
as the largest and most important annual meeting
place for the construction industry in the
Middle East,” said Walsh. “Visitors increased by
14.4% to 38,535, including 16,700 overseas
visitors and exhibitors.” The huge importance of
the Middle East region to the global building
and construction industry was further
highlighted by expanded participation from both
international and regional companies, with 58
countries represented. “The Big 5 is
internationally acknowledged as the event that
companies have to be at if they want to maximise
their business opportunities in the region,”
added Walsh.
Every product sector is represented at The Big
5, including air conditioning and refrigeration,
water technology and the environment, marble,
stone and ceramics and a totally comprehensive
range of products and services related to
building and construction. “There has been huge
demand for exhibition space again,” said Walsh.
“This year’s Big 5 will again feature the key
international and regional players, both
manufacturers and importers, and every year we
are seeing more and more UAE manufacturers
taking part.”
The international significance of the event
continues to grow as the region’s importance to
the global construction industry, often facing
saturation in their traditional markets, expands
dramatically. “Evidence of the region’s
significance is the fact that this year’s Big 5
will feature the biggest ever German pavilion at
any construction event outside Germany,” added
Walsh. “The Big 5’s success is based on its
unique combination of all of the key sectors
within one show, making it a one-stop event for
the region’s key decision makers - exhibitors
recognise that as well as attracting orders
during the show, they can also make invaluable
long-term contacts.” The Big 5 takes place at
Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 25-29
November 2007.