The enormous scale of Middle East construction boom will be highlighted when the PMV exhibition, dedicated to manufacturers and suppliers of plant, machinery and construction vehicles, joins The Big 5 to create a mega trade exhibition in Dubai later this year.

The PMV expo is relocating to a site adjacent to the Big 5 at Dubai International Convention Centre from November 23-27, transforming the event into one of the world’s largest trade shows for the construction industry and associated suppliers, said a statement.

“As the latest research shows, there has been no let up in the construction boom since last year,” said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing Group, who stage PMV on behalf of Dmg World Media, the Big 5 organiser.

 “It means suppliers of plant, machinery, construction vehicles and equipment are still pursuing contracts worth many billions of dollars, and we’ve created a platform for them to meet face to face with key buyers.” 

Bernard Walsh, managing director Dmg World Media Dubai, commented: “The arrival of the PMV expo at Big 5 in a single site venue is a natural synergy for us. We’ve listened to what our exhibitors and visitors wanted and have responded with a one-stop shop for all construction professionals. It plans to be a dynamic five days in November.”

Research by database company Proleads, which monitors regional construction projects across all industry sectors in the Middle East, shows that there are now 3,339 projects estimated to be worth in excess of $2.8 trillion underway in the region, the bulk of development taking place in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

A massive wave of projects in the GCC, Egypt, Iraq and Libya has turned the region into the world’s biggest market for plant, construction machinery, vehicles and equipment, demand for which is expected to grow by up to 20 per cent over the next four years.

As more new airports, ports, mega resorts, theme parks, residential and commercial cities, and man-made islands take shape, industry suppliers are cashing in and they will be out in force at the expo in November.

With the event still seven months away, Streamline Marketing Group said it should grow by 35 per cent over last year as manufacturers and suppliers worldwide of plant, construction machinery, vehicles and equipment seek to capitalise on the regional boom.

The UAE is firmly at the centre of the dramatic regional construction activity. There are currently 1,248 projects worth $931 billion under way in the emirates which is home to more than 35 per cent of the heavy equipment available worldwide, while 25 per cent of the world’s tower cranes are in use in Dubai, it said.

Research by Proleads shows that Dubailand, with development worth $182.353 billion now in progress, has replaced King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia ($129.976 billion) as the region’s biggest construction project currently underway.

The third largest project is Kuwait’s Silk City ($86 billion). Overall, Saudi Arabia tops the table for active construction, with 1,026 projects valued at $1.102 trillion under way in the kingdom.

The UAE, in second place for overall construction project value, has the largest number of active projects. Kuwait is in third spot with 267 projects worth $274 billion followed by Qatar (268 projects - $205 billion), Oman (190 projects - $ 103 billion), Egypt (45 projects - $72 billion), Iraq (42 projects - $67 billion), Libya (75 projects - $63 billion) and Bahrain (179 projects - $61 billion).

Nick Webb added: “The PMV element will retain its individual identity and have separate indoor and outdoor arenas. Suppliers of plant, machinery, construction vehicles and equipment are still pursuing contracts worth many billions of dollars, and we’ve created a platform for them to meet face to face with key buyers.” 

Last year’s PMV attracted more than 240 key manufac