WITH the UK committed to export and the Middle East region eager to source products and know-how from that country, The Big 5 provides an ideal networking platform for business and trade between these two markets.

Against this backdrop, the UK is once again hosting a pavilion featuring 45 exhibitors at the show, which is being co-ordinated by the Construction Products Association, the official accredited trade organiser appointed by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in collaboration with its exhibition/international event management partner, Building Exhibitions Management (BEM).

“Despite the tough economic global climate, the UK is committed to export and there is a significant interest and demand for products and knowledge coming from the Middle East for UK innovation,” says Simona Novelli, project director of BEM.

The UK pavilion will host a vast array of companies, some of which are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are new to the market and are financially supported by the UKTI. These companies will represent a broad spectrum of industrial sectors including environmental, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and water supply and treatment, together with the huge and diverse building materials and construction sector.

Making their debut at The Big 5 will be Annicom, Dunster House and Rutland UK, while returning to show their commitment and dedication to the Middle East market are Roll Roy, Dura Composites, Jaymart and Laidlaw Solutions.

“The companies we have on our pavilion illustrate the wide range of products available from the UK and demonstrate how innovative the UK industry is,” says Novelli.

“The group reflects the growing importance that UK companies are giving to the environment. The government is, undoubtedly, taking a lead with ambitious policies related to energy and resource efficiency, and water saving facilities, and UK manufacturers and suppliers are responding to the opportunity this presents for the development of innovative products and solutions,” she adds.

“The response we have received from UK companies wishing to participate at the show, despite the global economic situation we are all facing, underlines how vital the Gulf region is in export terms,” she continues. “The companies who are participating at the show this year know how important it is to have a presence at this exhibition – it is quite simply ‘the’ event for the industry and you have to be seen at The Big 5 if you want to meet with the major players and you are serious about exporting to this region. Companies who exhibit now will reap the benefits to come in future years. The Big 5 attracts visitors from all over the region and it is important that companies understand that they are not just targeting the UAE, they can reach the entire Gulf region and beyond by having a presence at The Big 5.”

The Construction Products Association acts as a single, influential voice for the manufacturers and suppliers of construction products in the UK. One of the vital roles that the association plays is to assist UK companies with their export activities and, through the UKTI, it also helps in co-ordinating UK pavilions at major international building and construction exhibitions each year.

“The support offered for certain SMEs by the UKTI is vital to those companies who are new to the region and we are pleased that  the UKTI is able to assist these organisations with their export efforts. And I am confident that all the exhibitors within our pavilion will enjoy a tremendous amount of success from business they generate from being at this exhibition.

“These are challenging times and both the Construction Products Association and BEM are delighted that so many UK companies are positioning themselves to compete and actively win business in this market and it is our aim to support them every step of the way,” she concludes.

The UK Pavilion will be located in Hall 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Information about the Construction Products Association and on companies exhibiting at the pavilion can be obtained at Stand 2C62.