More than 350 exhibitors from 27 countries representing over 430 brands, will be vying for the attention of thousands of regional trade buyers, from architects, distributors and engineers, to government representatives and lighting designers, at this year’s Light Middle East 2015, which will be held in Dubai, UAE.

“Growing investments into regional large-scale civil and commercial infrastructure projects are driving demand for contemporary and sustainable lighting solutions,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of the event, which is taking place next month (October 6 to 8) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Currently pegged at around $2.5 billion, the GCC’s lighting systems market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 to 12 per cent in the next five years, powered by high demand in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Leading global research and advisory firm Frost & Sullivan has estimated the market to be worth $3.5 billion by 2020.

Lighting consumption across the region is also being shaped by the increasing preference among governments for smart and green infrastructure solutions, which is driving demand for the latest in light-emitting diodes (LED) and solar lighting technologies, according to Frost & Sullivan.

The big shift toward LED comes as lighting accounts for 25 per cent of total energy consumption in the Middle East, a higher electrical usage than anywhere else in the world, while in the GCC around five mega tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions can be saved annually by switching to LED, it said.

Swiss manufacturer Regent Lighting is among the headline companies at Light Middle East 2015. Returning exhibitor ERCO from Germany is another among many companies at the event that have a strong LED component in their portfolio.

Other major exhibitors taking part at Light Middle East 2015 with LED at the core of their product portfolios include Platinum Sponsor Cinmar, and Gold Sponsors Martin by Harman, Speclight, Huda Lighting and GLS.