The global financial crisis and economic downturn have yet to seriously impact suppliers  to the Middle East building and construction sector, according to the organisers of the biggest trade fair for the industry in the Gulf.

"Exhibition space at The Big 5 - one of the world’s largest shows for the construction industry and associated suppliers – is completely sold out, moreover we still have a waiting list of potential exhibitors," said Bernard Walsh, managing director of organisers dmg world media Dubai.

The five-day event takes up the entire space of the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre from November 23-27 and there will be more than 3,000 exhibiting companies with the organisers expecting more than 50,000 visitors.

Speaking at a press conference in Dubai today (Nov 19), Walsh said continued demand for space at the show was due to the fact that despite caution over size and timing, huge construction projects will continue to take place across the region on a level unmatched in other parts of the world.

"It would be foolish to suggest that the global financial situation will not impact the region and no doubt some projects will be scaled back," Walsh added. "But the fact remains that the Arabian Gulf is one of the few places in the world where growth is expected to continue with governments supporting major infrastructure projects. That is why the world's suppliers to the construction industry will be exhibiting and attending The Big 5 in record numbers this year."

At the last count, a total of 53 countries will be represented at The Big 5 with Italy and Germany having the biggest pavilions. Italy will have 510 companies represented at the show. The largest ever delegation from Germany will see 370 exhibiting companies.

Other country pavilions include: Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, France, Belgium, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Luxembourg, Korea, Malaysia, Portugal, Malta, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and the Philippines. In addition, there are exhibitors from Bahrain, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United States of America and Vietnam.

"The construction sector and the subcontractor divisions offer enormous potential for German companies," said Oliver Parche, deputy delegate of German Industry and Commerce in the UAE, Oman and Qatar. "It is clearly illustrated by the ever increasing number of German exhibitors at The Big 5 that German companies are striving to gain a foothold in this hard fought market."

The Big 5 this year will have a strong sustainability and "green" theme. Products and services that reduce the impact on the environment will be on show at the exhibition – winners of the Gaia Awards - named after the mythical Greek goddess of the earth. Nominations were received from the 3,000 exhibiting companies and a panel of judges representative of the regional community awarded 27 medals of merit and one Gaia gold medal, in the first awards of their kind in the region.

High-performance, energy efficient green building solutions and environmentally friendly technologies will also be highlighted at The Big 5 Technical Conference.

The conference takes place at the Monarch Hotel in Dubai on November 24. "The conference is in response to the introduction by the Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, of a green building directive underscoring Dubai's support for efforts to address global environmental challenges," said Simon Mellor, vice president construction for The Big 5 organisers dmg world media.

Compiled in conjunction with Ecospecifier International,<