The demand for construction machinery in the Middle East is expected to increase by up to 20 per cent over the next five years.

This is being attributed to an unprecedented level of development in the region.

The Gulf countries alone account for more than 2,100 existing and planned projects currently valued at $1.2 trillion, and this figure will rise as the Middle East continues with its infrastructure and expansion plans, said a report in the Khaleej Times.

According to Construction World magazine, in 2005 the UAE's market for heavy construction machinery stood at $190 million, road construction machinery at $176 million and earth moving machinery at $150 million.

Growth of 15 to 20 per cent is forecast over the next five years as developers splash out on the extra machinery and equipment needed to build airports, ports, mega resorts, theme parks, residential and commercial cities, and huge man-made islands, the report added.

The annual market demand for used machinery in the Middle East as a whole is valued at over $1.5 billion.