Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Contractors Authority, The 13th edition of the Big 5 Construct Saudi at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Ras Roshan, where it unveiled its new two-week format, designed to meet the growing market demand and growth opportunities specific to the construction sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During its opening week, Big 5 Construct Saudi hosted the fifth edition of the International Construction Conference (ICC), organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA) and dmg events.
Al-Ajlan said: “Now in its fifth year, held in collaboration with Big 5 Construct Saudi, the International Construction Conference serves as a vital platform for thought leadership and strategic discussions that will shape the future of the construction industry as Saudi Arabia accelerates toward achieving the goals of Vision 2030. As a testament to the Kingdom’s leadership in construction excellence, Big 5 Construct Saudi complements our mission at the Saudi Contractors Authority to empower stakeholders, drive sustainability, and support developments that will propel the sector to new heights.”
The Construction Industry and Key Sectors
In its first week, running from February 15 to 18, Big 5 Construct Saudi welcomed professionals from across the industry to explore innovations in the foundational stages of construction, including structural development, materials, and engineering solutions, with co-located exhibitions including Heavy Saudi Arabia, Totally Concrete Saudi Arabia, and HVAC R Saudi Arabia.
Matt Denton, President of DMG Events, said: “As we open the doors to this year’s Big 5 Construct Saudi, construction industry professionals are gathering to explore key sectors such as heavy construction, concrete, HVAC, and electrical and mechanical engineering technologies and building materials during the first week of the event.” The expanded two-week format not only enhances the attendee experience but also ensures that professionals can find the tools and technologies they need, representing every sector of the construction value chain. The first week focuses specifically on products and solutions for projects in the preliminary and early stages, aligning perfectly with the Kingdom’s growing construction needs.”
High-Level Discussions Take Center Stage
The first day of the Big 5 Construct Saudi exhibition marked the opening of the two-day International Construction Conference, organized by DMG Events in partnership with the Saudi Contractors Authority. The event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and experts to discuss the future of construction in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The opening panel discussion, which highlighted the transformative impact of Vision 2030 on the construction sector, featured David Watkins, CEO of Project Development at Asal Real Estate. Khalid Al-Othman, Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainability and the Green Economy, Council of Saudi Chambers; Tawfiq Al-Juhani, Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics at Al-Bawani Company; Saleh Al-Kathir, Managing Director of Al-Kifah Contracting and Construction Company, and Engineer Mohammed Al-Aasar, Managing Director of Hassan Allam Construction Saudi Arabia. The speakers collectively agreed on the need for strategic alliances between the government and the private sector to shape the future of the construction sector in the Kingdom.
One industry leader participated in discussions on advancing sustainability goals and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) in Saudi Arabia. Sinan Rashid, Director of Sustainability at “New Murabba,” highlighted the critical role of transparency and accountability through robust reporting frameworks and compliance with ESG standards.
The second day of the International Construction Conference will feature discussions on strategic leadership in project management, contract management, risk mitigation for construction projects, and innovations in health, safety, and environmental standards, as well as the importance of production in transforming the construction sector.
Highlighting Partnerships and Promoting Sustainable Construction
On the sidelines of the “Big 5 Construct” exhibition, “Masdar Saudi” signed a partnership with the Public Investment Fund, whereby the Public Investment Fund acquired a 30% stake in “Masdar” by subscribing to new shares through a capital increase, a move in line with the Public Investment Fund’s overall strategy. According to ”Masdar,” the strategic partnership strengthens the company’s position in the sector and drives growth to contribute to Vision 2030.
As part of the EcoTrail feature, on opening day, one of the exhibitors, Dewalt, showcased its battery-powered tools, which reduce carbon emissions by up to 60%. Another company, LumiCon (a subsidiary of Brickeye), presented a real-time concrete strength monitoring system based on the Internet of Things.
