Photo by Joseph Shagra Photo by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: The largest construction event in Kuwait was inaugurated yesterday at the International Fair Ground in Misref. Farwaniya Governor, Sheikh Faisal Al-Humoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah, inaugurated the fourth edition of The Big 5 Kuwait at the Kuwait International Fair Ground.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at 10:30 am, marking the official opening of Kuwait's largest construction event.

Over 100 companies are showcases thousands of innovative products for the construction sector at the Kuwait International Fair, from Sep 25 to 27, 2016.

According to organizer dmg events, Middle East, Asia & Africa, the fourth edition of The Big 5 Kuwait are hosting exhibitors from 16 countries, including Hyundai, Sabic, Acico Industries, Pedax, Oscam, Al Arabiya Electrical and Instant Access.

This year, the largest construction event in the country will be the stage of several new product launches. AR Albisher & Z.Alkazemi Co, authorized general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait, announced it will present the new Medium Duty Truck 'Accelo 915C' to the local market for the first time during the show. "Accelo will be the new shining star in the medium duty segment of Kuwait" Ralph Geyer, General Manager of AR Albisher & Z Alkazemi Co, said.

'Construction solutions'

"At The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 we will display our wide range of construction solutions for the Kuwait market, including Concrete mixers & Steel tippers installed on Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks. We will also introduce the latest Mercedes-Benz Actors Truck featuring Mercedes PowerShift(r) technology, the number one choice in demanding operating conditions, which helps reducing fuel consumption and emissions", Mr. Geyer added.

Kharafi National KSC, a leading infrastructure project developer in water, wastewater treatment and reclamation, district cooling, solid waste management and enhanced oil recovery, will be also exhibiting again at The Big 5 Kuwait 2016. The company, which is a major contractor and facilities management service provider to the petroleum, chemicals, power, water and commercial sectors, announced that it will showcase Instant Access' products and services, while promoting partner brands endorsed at last year's event.

Beyond returning exhibitors, The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 hosts numerous new ones as well. From Austria, Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH will introduce to the Kuwait market GSS, a new steel spring solution, and Isotop, spring isolators for vibration isolation. Getzner specializes in vibration isolation in the rail, construction and industry sectors. "We have been producing materials for the insulation and isolation of vibrations and structure-borne noise since 1969. Derived from our own in-house research, the high-tech materials Sylomer(r) and Sylodyn(r) are used in the railway superstructure, for the resilient bedding of buildings and machinery, and also as structural components", Getzner's representative, Amr Alhaj, explained. "This is the first year for us to participate at The Big 5 Kuwait and we look forward to distributing our products in the railway, construction and industry applications in Kuwait".

Also for the first time at The Big 5 Kuwait 2016, ICE - the Italian Trade Agency, will support Italian companies showcasing their products at Italy's institutional stand. These include FIP Industriale, a world leader in the manufacturing of structural devices for roadways, tunnels, bridges, petroleum platforms, civil buildings and skyscrapers, and Tecno Impianti, operating in the sector of metal wires drawing machines. According to Dr. Giuseppe Lamacchia, Director of the Trade Promotion Section of the Italian Embassy in Kuwait, "Given Italy's proximity to Kuwait and our prominent expertise in this field, the infrastructure sector is one of the most promising areas of cooperation between us".

Going green

Visitors to The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 will be able to discover the latest and most innovative sustainable and green products too. Among many others, Spanish exhibitor Graphenstone will present its wide range of paints, coatings, mortars, adhesives, and insulating materials made with organic products and graphene technology. "Graphene provides our paints and coatings with flexibility, strength and homogeneity, beyond adding other extraordinary properties like electrical and thermal conductivity or corrosion protection", Mosab Al Shikh Othman, Graphenstone representative said. "Compared to common coatings, our formulas allow savings in material consumption while achieving higher values of hardness, compressive and tensile strength, and elasticity".

In addition, Event Director, Ashley Roberts, announced that this year The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 will expand its educational offer. "Beyond meeting key manufacturers from around the word, participants will be able to attend for free over 20 CPD certified workshops addressingthe industry's current challenges and sharing best practices. Delivered by industry specialists, these workshops will enable attendees to develop both their skills and careers, getting valuable insights from industry leaders while growing their professional network".

Moreover, "For the first time, The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 will dedicate a whole day to sustainability in construction, a theme which is increasingly important today in Kuwait", Mr Roberts added. Sustainable urban development and green building practices will take center stage in all workshops on the last day of the show, September 27.

The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 is an unmissable platform for architects, engineers, contractors and developers in the region. The show will focus on the specific needs of the local construction industry, leveraging on organizer dmg events' network of more than 300,000 suppliers and buyers of construction products from around the globe. The event will run from 11:00 to 21:00, from September 25 to 27, 2016 at the Kuwait International Fair; entrance is free. To find out more, visit www.big5kuwait.com