The GCC tiles market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 10-12 per cent until 2020, driven by over 10,000 projects under construction or in the design and planning stage, a report said.

The tiles market is one of the fastest growing segments of the building materials market, according to the report by Frost & Sullivan, a growth partnership company.

The GCC market for tiles was estimated at more than 450 million to 500 million sq m in 2014, out of which as much as 70 per cent of demand was for ceramic tiles, Frost & Sullivan said. The region imports almost 40 per cent of its total demand, with China, Spain, Italy, Egypt and India being the largest suppliers of tiles to the GCC.

“The GCC tile market is one of the most dynamic in the world, with the large-scale construction projects we are seeing here in the region leading to equally large-scale demand for quality building materials,” said Vibha Sawhney, senior architect and interior designer, head of Hospitality Design Division, Modo Milano Consultancy JLT.

“The increasing importance of residential development in the construction mix and the desire for high-quality products is also influencing demand. With the region home to a large number of high-net-worth individuals, there is a natural desire to deliver high standards and this is benefiting the regional tile market. ”

The tile and ceramics market will be a key focus area at the Middle East Stone Show, a new exhibition dedicated exclusively to the thriving stone industry, which runs from May 18 to 21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE.

The event will feature more than 40 CPD (continuing professional development) certified free seminars about the latest global stone design, technologies, methodologies of testing and maintenance, with local, regional and international experts as speakers.

“For the first time, producers and manufacturers of marble, stone and ceramics will have their own dedicated show in the region. As well as showcasing the finest products from around the world, Middle East Stone will also offer a forum for this multibillion-dollar sector. For some projects the cost of the stone and tile used in finishing the building can be as high as 12 per cent of the overall cost,” said Mark Goodchild, event director of Middle East Stone (MES).

“This is a huge market and we have launched the new show because of the demand, not only from the manufacturers who will be at the show but also the architects, designers and contractors who want to see new products, understand how it can be used and meet the people who produce them.

“It not only makes sense for the region’s rapid demand, but its centralised location brings major players from both established and developing markets together,” he added.

The show is free to attend and runs alongside other dmg events such as Index, workspace at Index and Middle East Covering. – TradeArabia News Service