Leading global exhibitions company dmg events is set to launch two of its most successful event brands - Index & The Big 5 - into North Africa as the region sees a surge in demand for knowledge, inspiration and products in the construction and interior design sectors.

The company has collaborated with Elan Expo, a provider of professional organiser services for leading international trade shows, to launch Index North Africa, a dedicated show for the region’s vibrant interiors, décor and design market.

Likewise, with a goal to geo-adapt its hugely successful Big 5 brand in the region, dmg events has announced the launch of The Big 5 Construct North Africa to cater to the region’s booming economy which is expected to grow by 4 to 5 per cent by 2020, said a statement from dmg events.

The reasons for the expansion of these two successful brands into the region are clear. North Africa represents 10 per cent of all construction projects in Africa, with the region attracting 22.2 per cent more foreign direct investment projects in 2014 than in 2013, it stated.

The region also continues to be a focal destination for investment in infrastructure development and several countries - including the US, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.

This adds up to sectors ripe with opportunity and an industry generating demand for interior and fit-out products, across all sectors, at an accelerating rate.

“North Africa is an emerging market with lucrative opportunities in its burgeoning real estate, construction and interiors sectors,” remarked Matt Denton, the president, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa.

“We at dmg events felt this is the most opportune time to launch events where international exhibitors can meet regional buyers to tap into a relatively unexplored market. We are confident that Index North Africa and The Big 5 Construct North Africa will bring significant value to both exhibitors and visitors and position themselves as the region’s much anticipated event for business, networking, market analysis, and professional development,” he added.

Index North Africa, featuring Workspace will be the first to take place, with the event opening its doors in December this year.

It will incorporate Morocco’s hugely successful MaDecor, becoming the largest sourcing event for original, innovative and inspiring interior products in the region.

The Big 5 Construct North Africa will debut next year, as a gateway for international companies to penetrate the region’s lucrative real estate, building products and construction sectors.

The launch of the geo-adapted events in North Africa is the latest in a series of strategic moves by dmg events as it expands its business into key markets on the continent. This latest addition to the Big 5 brand joins events, which currently take place in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Indonesia and India.

Other African ventures include the inaugural edition of The Big 5 East Africa and the East Africa Coatings Congress, both of which take place later this year.

According to dmg events, these new launches come in the wake of its recent acquisition of Exhibition Management Services (EMS), one of the region’s leading event companies, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The deal added a further five shows to the portfolio controlled by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, it added.-TradeArabia News Service