The inaugural CityBuild Abu Dhabi trade exhibition held recently for the building and construction industry has laid the foundation for new business opportunities in the UAE capital, according to organisers and participants.

“Abu Dhabi is now the focus for the construction industry as the emirate powers ahead with multi-billion-dollar infrastructure development plans,” said Graham Wood, group director of CityBuild organisers IIR Middle East, who are also organisers of Cityscape Abu Dhabi. “Considering CityBuild Abu Dhabi was only launched seven months ago, the potential growth for this show is tremendous,” he added. 

CityBuild headline sponsor Kludi RAK, a joint venture with RAK Ceramics, used the event to showcase its products. Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Ceramics, said: “As a market leader with over 7,000 products and as the world’s largest ceramics manufacturer our participation in the event reaffirmed our strong presence in the Abu Dhabi market which has been a key growth destination for our products and services.”

Mapei, global leader in the production of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for buildings, participated at the show under the theme ‘Maximising Efficiency - Getting More for Less.’

Laith Haboubi, business development director, commen- ted, “We are committed to Abu Dhabi and were involved in the Emirates Palace and Grand Mosque projects. We have made some excellent contacts and received some serious sales leads, especially for our environmentally friendly cement-based adhesives, which enhance the efficiency of construction projects.”

Award-winner Al Jaber: opening doors for women to follow

Exceed Industries, a specialised manufacturing and investment company with operations spanning the Middle East and North Africa, showcased building and construction infrastructure at its stand. Dr Ahmad Khayyat, CEO, said: “CityBuild Abu Dhabi 2010 brought together key industry leaders. The industrial sector in the Emirate continues to offer numerous business opportunities and we are keen to explore new ventures and partnerships.”

Reem will be back

Timour Asfour, brand manager at Reem Emirates Aluminium (REA), was surprised by the reach of the show. “We have had enquiries from Saudi Arabia and even Africa, as well as the local market. We have achieved our objectives and will definitely be back next year.”

REA is one of the leading high-tech, energy-efficient, custom-designed aluminium curtain wall designers and builders in the Middle East. Highlighting its commitment to environmentally friendly products, REA also scooped an award at the CityBuild Abu Dhabi Awards.

That sentiment was echoed by Cherbal Naoum, business development manager, RAK Ceramics, which was showcasing its latest range of eco-friendly Slim tiles. He said, “With many regional developers striving for Leed (green building) certification, product manufacturers are focusing on quality and sustainability.”

Focused on the practical, CityBuild Abu Dhabi took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, bringing together industry suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, architects, engineers, importers and procurement decision - makers.

First woman recipient

Meanwhile Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, COO of Al Jaber Group, became the first woman in the region to receive a construction award. Al Jaber was among a number of winners to receive CityBuild Excellence in Construction Awards during the show.

“By receiving this award I hope to be opening doors for more women to follow,” she said.

The CityBuild Excellence in Construction Awards have been introduced to recognise outstanding performance and excellence in the industry with all entries reviewed by an advisory board composed of leading names in the industry, the organisers said.

The CityBuild Honorary Award, made to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution and demonstrated outstanding service to the construction industry, went to the Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi.

CityBuild Excellence in Construction award winners with their awards

In the Construction Products Award category, the winner of the Best Water Technology Product was Waterwise Systems by Green Precast Systems and Technologies. Best Building and Construction Product was Archilede by Iguzzini Middle East. Green Product of the Year was Environmena Power Systems.

Other winners

In the Architecture and Design Award category, the winner of the Best Sustainable Design Award was Administration Building by Make Ltd. The Best Sustainable Construction Award went to Reem Emirates Aluminium. The Innovation Award went to Greencast Precast Systems and Technologies.

The new show was being held alongside Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the well-established event for the international real estate investment and development sector.

The founding sponsor of CityBuild Abu Dhabi was Kludi RAK. The associate/awards sponsor was Mapei. The summit’s sponsors included BASF’s Construction Chemicals and KNAUF Drywall Systems division.

The event was supported by the Chartered Institute of Business (CIOB), Building Smart Middle East, Donate a Brick, Emirates Environmental Group, the Middle East Drymix Mortar Association and the UAE Contractors’ Association.