More than 200 companies from 24 countries are taking part in the inaugural edition of The Big 5 Construct Egypt, the Cairo-based edition of The Big 5, the Middle East region's largest portfolio of construction events, which opened today (September 18).

Minister of Trade and Industry Amr Nassar inaugurated the expo which will run at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC) till September 21.

Over the next four days, leading companies will display hundreds of products for Egypt’s booming $335 billion construction market, said the organisers dmg events.

Speaking at the opening, Nassar said: "Alongside being the perfect platform to bring the latest international best practices to Egypt’s construction sector, international partnerships that would result from The Big 5 Construct Egypt, will help boost other sectors such as tourism, as well as bolster import and export opportunities."

He reiterated his confidence that this edition would be the first of larger-scale editions of The Big 5 Construct Egypt in the years to come.

Josine Heijmans, the portfolio director at dmg events, said: "International players showed a terrific interest in the Egyptian construction market, which is one of the fastest growing and most promising in the region. We are extremely proud to launch the show today, hosting 15 country pavilions from countries such as Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, China, Turkey, India, France and Greece – our official country partner."

The introduction of The Big 5 Construct Egypt is equally, warmly welcomed by Egyptian construction companies. Major industry names like Kandil Steel, Orascom Group, Sphinx Glass, Ezzsteel, and Al Sherif Group are exhibiting at the show, which they also support as partners and sponsors.

“Egypt is currently starting a major infrastructure spending. There are huge business opportunities for construction steel and the related engineering industries like electric cables, solar panels, and later on white goods,” remarked Tarek Elnaghia, the marketing manager at Kandil Steel.

"We are increasing our productions capacity by 50 per cent by the end of 2019, so this is the perfect time for us to take part in The Big 5 Construct Egypt," he stated.

The event’s B2B matching program provides participants with a unique platform to connect, build strong relationships and grow together, said the organisers.

Local Egyptian companies have the chance to establish new, profitable export partnerships, while international participation is expected to boost the flow of FDI into the country, they added.

Heijmans pointed out that the Big 5 comes to Egypt at a time when the need for new technology, international partnerships, business development and advanced learning is at its peak.

"The Big 5 Construct Egypt offers a one-stop-shop for companies and industry professionals who want to remain atop of the latest developments in the sector, and we are very proud of the positive impact we are making in Egypt," she stated.

More than just an exhibition, The Big 5 Construct Egypt provides industry professionals with invaluable learning opportunities in the form of free to attend CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified courses. Visitors can attend over 40 workshops and receive a certificate at the end of each session, at no cost, she added.

The workshops cover a wide range of topics, including Future Trends and Technologies, BIM and Project Management, New Policies and Reforms, Sustainability and Technology, Urban Development, Architecture and Design, BIM and Project Management, Contract Management, as well as Sustainability and Technology.

On the opening day, The Big 5 Construct Egypt also introduced the ‘Women in Construction’ seminar series. Presenting the diverse experiences of some of Egypt’s pioneering female construction executives, the seminar aims to advance and further empower the industry by changing the popular misconception of construction being a male dominated field.

The workshops will continue running during the show’s four days, with an impressive lineup of speakers.

Some of the most prominent names include Nihal El Megharbel, Urban policies, Legislations and Governance Program Manager, UN-Habitat, Egypt; Dalia Sadany, Founding Chairman of Dalia Sadany Dezines; Yasser AlBeltagy, Chairman, Yasser AlBeltagy Architects (YBA); Moustafa El Sayed, Chairman & Managing Director, EGEC; Salah Omar Omran, BIM Manager, Turner International Saudi; Ahmed Salman, Architecture Section Head, Pinnacle Construction Projects; and Tamer Shafik, Business Development Director, Orascom Construction.-TradeArabia News Service