The inaugural edition of Big 5 Heavy, a unique showcase of machinery for the heavy construction sector, opened today (March 26) in Dubai, UAE.

The Big 5 Heavy was inaugurated by Mattar Al Tayer, the director general and chairman of board of executive directors at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). The event will run till March 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

In its inaugural edition, the Middle East’s largest heavy construction event is hosting Caterpillar’s latest revolutionary innovations and NFT’s virtual reality feature, which is transporting visitors up to a first-class seat above their state-of-the-art 300,000 square meter yard.

There is plenty to see at The Big 5 Heavy with over 300 exhibitors from more than 30 countries providing visitors with a unique and visually stunning showcase of machinery and innovation for construction industries, said the organisers.

Exclusive dealer Al-Bahar has partnered with Caterpillar to launch the two new machines: the Next Generation Cat 320 Excavator and Cat 962L Wheel Loader. The theme for the duo’s participation is ‘New Range. New Rules.’ portraying the new machine collection and its revolutionizing technology as a promise to transform the partnership between man and machine.

At the NFT stand, as well as launching visitors above their yard with virtual reality, the company is promoting their MCH Hydraulic Tower Crane and the new ‘Hup’ technology - a 100 per cent digital and self-erecting crane development ideal for narrow and compact building areas.

Exhibitor Deewan Equipment will promote their advanced concrete printing technology at the event and present portraits of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said the organisers.

"Thanks to government vision, GCC countries are the fastest developing across the world and we are honored to capture this inspiration with a portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan printed onto the very building blocks of tomorrow’s skyline," remarked Ghaith A. Yaseen, the managing partner, Deewan.

“In the Year of Zayed we also celebrate the great visionary leader of today, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his dedication to innovation across all industries,” he stated.

Welcoming the visitors, Richard Pavitt, the event director for The Big 5 Heavy, said: "With the total estimated value of projects in the GCC put at $1.7 trillion, and with approximately 37 per cent of all project values being in the design, concept and tender stages of development, demand for heavy machinery in the region is guaranteed to peak."

“We expect to see a packed event over the next week on the back of a growing market, and hope to see new partnerships and deals filling the floor,” he added.

A varied agenda of 40+ free to attend workshops is also underway at the event, assisting construction professionals in their jobs and offering CPD (Continued Professional Development) certified points. The workshop programme covers project management, mining & quarrying and foundation & geotechnical sessions.-TradeArabia News Service