Granite and marble imports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hit $87 million in 1999 a year-on-year increase of six percent since 1995, indicated a recent report by the Emirates Industrial Bank (EIB).
“The phenomenal regional infrastructure development is creating numerous opportunities for companies from within the international stone industry. The dramatic increase reflects the growing global awareness of the region's construction boom,” according to Big 5 organizers dmg Index Exhibitions.
Big 5, the Middle East's construction and contracting trade fair, is set to have its largest ever stone industry presence next month, nearly doubling last year's turn out. In addition to stone sector stalwart Italy, companies from Spain, China, Turkey and show debutante Portugal will be displaying stone-related products and machinery when the doors to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) open to Big 5 2002, taking place from October 26-30
This year's edition of the Big 5 will feature 22 national pavilions—three more than in 2001—and for the first time will have Portuguese and Chinese pavilions. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries, including newcomers Japan, Latvia, Poland and the Ukraine, will descend upon Dubai. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
