More than 40 firms will be showcasing their products and services at the French pavilions at The Big 5 show.

The pavilions are organised by Business France, the agency that promotes the internationalisation of the French economy, and will be erected in various halls to cover the multiple sectors covered by French firms including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services, building interiors and envelope, construction tools, and Middle East Concrete and plant, machinery and vehicles (PMV).

The French offering is highly diversified, ranging from structural work to finishings including carpentry, roofing, insulation, bathroom facilities, cooling and heating, smoke detectors, as well as wall and floor coverings, luxury faucets and home automation.

“It is very difficult to quantify the construction/finishings sector in France. However, it is estimated that business conducted in foreign markets is worth €7.8 billion ($8.57 billion),” says a spokesman for Business France.

“The French construction/finishings sector enjoys a strong reputation in terms of quality and reliability, two particularly crucial aspects in construction given the safety risks posed by low-end and counterfeit products. France tends to export products that are high tech, high quality and of sophisticated design – for example, innovative insulating materials, façades that let in light, false ceilings, terracotta tiles, natural paints, decorative fireplaces,” he adds.

The spokesman points out that France has the ability to play a major role in global trade, given that most of the sectors making up the industry include one or more of its leading firms such as Vinci, Bouygues, Saint-Gobain, Lafarge and Eiffage to name but five.

The firms will be in Hall Two (MEP Services); Hall Eight (Building Interior), Sheikh Saeed Hall Two (Building Envelope), Za’abeel Hall One (Construction Tools), and Za’abeel Hall Seven (Middle East Concrete/PMV).