The latest edition of the Big 5 which is opening today is set to bring together around 3000 exhibitors to showcase thousands of certified construction products during the 4-day event in Dubai.Quality products and latest construction software will help to ensure smooth delivery of nearly $3 trillion worth of construction projects in Gulf countries according to industry specialists.

Dubai Investments is targeting increased market share for its innovative and diversified product portfolio in the building materials sector to cater to the current construction boom in the UAE and across the GCC. The Dubai listed firm is showcasing products and innovation from its five subsidiaries and claimed all of them are category leaders in their respective sectors.

Counting both ongoing and planned construction projects the GCC's construction pipeline totals $2.8 trillion especially in mixed-use mega-developments airports and seaports and transportation infrastructure according to the recent report by Deloitte.

The building and construction sector in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) has witnessed 74 per cent growth in the last five years growing from Dh10.7 billion in 2009 to Dh18.6 billion in 2014. The Free Zone expects to double its growth in the next 3-4 years. The growth in the sector will largely be driven by the continued focus of GCC countries on building economic infrastructure and stimulus generated by Dubai 2020 related infrastructure projects. Jafza is participating in Big5 to highlight huge opportunities in the rapidly growing construction market in the GCC and the status of Jafza as the business and logistics hub to efficiently serve the industry in the region.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem chairman DP World and Ports Customs and Free Zone Corporation said: "The building and construction is one of the most dynamic business sectors in the GCC and the Middle East region." In anticipation of huge growth opportunities architects engineers contractors and real estate companies are posting strong demand for Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to create 3D constructable models that can enhance collaboration visibility and efficiency across the design build and operate stages of projects. "The Middle East is seeing nationwide transformation in construction innovation with projects for mega-events such as World Expo 2020 in Dubai and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar stretching design boundaries. Advancing government BIM mandates further demonstrate the Middle East's desire to be on par with global innovators in the construction field" Paul Wallett area business director Tekla Middle East said in a statement.

The Big 5 participants at this year's event is set to rise 6 per cent to 85000 based on data taken from last year's record-breaking exhibition and pre-registration figures for 2015 according to its organizer.

Among the top visiting countries to the event will be the UAE Saudi Arabia Iran India Oman Qatar Kuwait Bahrain Egypt and Pakistan.

European nations are also gearing up for a big exhibition amid uncertainties in domestic markets with Italy Germany Spain Greece and the UK ranked in the top ten exhibitor countries.

"Last year we pushed the show past the 80000 barrier in terms of participants and this year we are aiming even higher" said Josine Heijmans the show's event director.

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