Italian ceramic tiles, which for more than forty years have been promoted worldwide through the Ceramic Tiles of Italy mark, will enjoy pride of place in the United Arab Emirates during the Big 5 Show, the Gulf region’s largest building and construction fair held in the International Exhibition Centre in Dubai from 25 to 29 November 2007.
The importance of the exhibition is demonstrated by last year’s figures: about 3,000 exhibitor companies from 60 countries divided up by national pavilions and an excellent visitor attendance with more than 40,000 importers, distributors, contractors, architects, interior designers and developers – invaluable partners for Italian tile companies who admire the outstanding innovation and sophisticated trends of Italian products.
Big 5 Show, the most important building and architecture show in the Middle East, highlights the strong market potential of the United Arab Emirates, especially in the construction sector where it is one of the most dynamic markets. Building investments in this country increased by almost 10% in 2006.
The property boom that has been in progress in the United Arab Emirates for several years, particularly in the Emirate of Dubai which accounts for about 40% of the residential building investments of the entire region, is not only driving growth in building investments as a whole but is also making a major contribution to the country’s economic growth (according to 2005 figures, the residential building sector contributed more than 10% to GDP growth). The boom in the residential market has fuelled a sustained increase in tile consumption. In 2006 consumption volumes were just under 70 million square metres and by the end of 2008 this figure is expected to reach 80 million square metres.
As part of the promotional initiatives devoted to the Italian ceramic tile industry in the Gulf region, Confindustria Ceramica in cooperation with Promec, the special-purpose company of the Modena Chamber of Commerce, is taking part in Big 5 Show with a Ceramic Tiles of Italy-Promec stand (Rashid Hall – R-E 529). This will serve as an info and documentation point for the Italian ceramic industry’s products through the distribution of company catalogues and informative and promotional publications. The stand will display numerous samples of tiles provided by the Italian companies, allowing attendees to admire the new 2007 products in all their variety, quality and aesthetic sophistication.
During the show, the strong presence of Italian companies from the sector and the institutions will be underscored by an official visit by the Italian Minister for International Trade Emma Bonino.
Big 5 Show, the most important building sector exhibition in the Arabian peninsula, is a unique chance to gain access to business opportunities in the Middle East. Italian companies have an outstanding opportunity to establish a stable presence in the lucrative Emirates market, an oasis of stability where the Arab world meets to do business, to purchase technology and above all to invest in the real estate sector. For its part, the Emirates market is more than ready to accept high-end Italian ceramic tiles, largely due to the booming local building industry which constantly carries out large-scale projects as well as the presence of numerous wealthy investors.
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Romano Prodi visits the stand Ceramic Tiles of Italy
Stand CTI
Stand CTI
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