Saudi Build 2016 kicks off next month with as many as 530 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and featuring national pavilions from Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Turkey and the UAE.

Now in its 28th edition, the event will be held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs from October 17 to 20 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Saudi capital. 

The theme of this year’s show is ‘The challenges and opportunities for huge construction projects in Saudi Arabia’, according to the organiser Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC). 

Exhibitors will showcase the latest technologies and products on an area exceeding 25,000 sq m of exhibition space to a targeted audience that is eager to adopt cutting-edge technologies to support the government’s endeavour of developing world-class infrastructure and projects in Saudi Arabia, says an REC spokesman.

Saudi Build comes in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to achieve economic diversification and reduce reliance on oil.

Construction is one of the largest non-oil sectors in the country accounting for over half of the $500 billion worth of projects in the pre-execution phase, according to Meed.

Saudi Build 2016 will be held in concurrence with Saudi Stone-Tech 2016, the 19th international stone and stone technology exhibition; and Saudi Build PMV series, the seventh international exhibition for construction equipment, plant, machinery and vehicles.

This years’s edition is looking to break the attendance record which is expected to exceed 16,000 visitors.

“We encourage local, regional and even international visitors to register and visit Saudi Build 2016 to explore business opportunities, network with decision makers from the public and private sectors, and explore the latest product innovations and new technologies,” says the spokesman.