Capital’s pragmatic approach is paying off, say organisers

A new premier international trade show for the building and construction industry is being launched in Abu Dhabi as the UAE’s capital continues to forge ahead with major long-term initiatives.

CityBuild Abu Dhabi (18-21 April 2010) will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre bringing together industry suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, architects, engineers, importers and procurement decision makers.

“While some cities may have struggled with the global economic downturn, Abu Dhabi is forging ahead,” said Graham Wood, Group Director of CityBuild organisers IIR Middle East. “Abu Dhabi’s vision for 2030 presents a practical and sustainable view of the future, grounded in the emirates’ cultural and environmental identity.

“Abu Dhabi is considered by many to be one of the richest cities in the world, but it has taken a pragmatic approach when it comes to big, high-risk investments. That is now paying off in terms of its sustainable development programme.

“A recent report from research house Proleads identified civil building projects in the Emirate to the value of US$247 billion either in construction or pre-construction phase. The general view is that the Abu Dhabi construction market will pick up and maintain momentum.

“Industry response so far has been magnificent. Our original plan to accommodate the show in just one hall at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) has now been expanded to two halls after a surge in demand.”

CityBuild will debut alongside Cityscape Abu Dhabi. Wood said the co-location will allow crossovers between the two events, such as investors who can source new opportunities at Cityscape while developers, consultants and architects can source new products/services and contractors at CityBuild.

The show will have an industry summit, product demonstrations, the “Innovation Zone” and an awards scheme. Key sectors represented at the inaugural trade only event include ceramics, marble and stone, steel, concrete, building materials, and water technology. Exhibitors lined up include RAK Ceramics, IBS Mapei, Reem Emirates Aluminum, Saudi Rockwool and KNG Scaffolding, as well as strong representation from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Vietnam, Australia, Italy, Canada, India and China.

Under the theme ‘Maximising Competitiveness To Seize New Opportunities’ the key topics to be discussed at the two-day (18-19 April) CityBuild Abu Dhabi Construction Summit include; developing cash flow and cost management strategies to survive the slowdown; optimising sustainable design and construction techniques; and how to capitalise on new opportunities in the Abu Dhabi construction market.

Other topics on the agenda include investing in workforce skills; identifying opportunities in mixed development mega-projects; social infrastructure projects; better schools for the future; as well as developments in the UAE nuclear power programme, the hotel industry and real estate. One session that is sure to be well attended will identify upcoming tenders for 2010-11 in the transport, social infrastructure, residential and leisure sectors.

CityBuild Abu Dhabi will also launch its awards on 19 April. The awards will recognise and reward those who are addressing key construction issues, such as health and safety and women in construction. The founding sponsor of Citybuild Abu Dhabi is Kludi RAK and the event is also supported by the UAE Contractors’ Association.

For more information: www.citybuildabudhabi.com