Business France, the national agency supporting international development of the French economy, has set up two pavilions at The Big 5 to allow French companies to seize new opportunities or reinforce their existing presence in the region.

Some 24 companies from various sectors will be presenting their products, services and expertise at the pavilions.

With a highly fragmented network of 392,000 companies and sales of €135 billion ($154 billion) in 2017, the industry has one or more global leaders from France in most of its component sectors: Vinci, Eiffage, Bouygues and Spie, to name a few.

France boasts a highly diverse offering when it comes to the building trades, with companies of all sizes providing structural engineering services and finishing work (carpentry, roofing, insulation, sanitation, air-conditioning, and smoke detectors) and interior fittings (wall and floor coverings, luxury tapware, and home automation).

Also, the French construction and finishing work industry has several undeniable strengths in line with the Expo 2020 Dubai, and will, therefore, create a whole host of opportunities that French companies must leverage by establishing ties with local decision makers.

According to Marc Cagnard, managing director of Business France Middle East: “Innovation features strongly in French companies. From new and biosourced building materials, wooden construction driven by ecological considerations, and smart building in building information modelling (BIM) to home automation, smart meters, energy optimisation tools, solar glass, and smart thermostats, boilers and bulbs, these are just some of the development initiatives currently being pursued by businesses in the sector.”

He adds France also enjoys a strong reputation for quality and reliability, which are especially important in the construction industry due to safety risks.

France has been maintaining a strong presence internationally with €22 billion generated in foreign markets, by export ing top-quality carefully designed, advanced technology products (innovative insulation materials, building facades that let in natural light, suspended ceilings, clay roof tiles, natural paints, and decorative fireplaces).

Some of the exhibitors on the  French pavilions are A Raymond France (fastening systems), Activ-Skeen (active or connected technologies for building structures), Cemom Moatti (hinges for doors and windows), Controlab (laboratory equipment for the civil and mechanical engineering sectors), France Prefa Concept (structures, masonry and facades), Francem (aveolar and compact profiles), Guard Industrie (cleaning products for walls, floors and facades), GV2 Veda France (expansion joint covers), Haemmerlin CDH Group (Construction site and height access equipment), Ispo France (glues and sealants), Kemica Coatings (polyurethane resins for waterproofing applications, floor coverings), Platre.Com International (Plaster and coatings), Projiso (firestop products), Saf’acade (vertical thermal insulation), Tecofi (industrial valves), and Sarl Samac-Marbres De France (marble quarries).

Business France is responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France’s companies, as well as the country’s business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the Vie international internship programme.

French exhibitors for MEP and Building Interiors can be visited between Halls 1 and 4; and Construction Tools & Building Materials at Za’abeel Hall 1-3, at The Big 5.