Five firms eye lucrative Dubai construction deals

Five local companies are looking at penetrating the multi-billion construction industry in Dubai by participating in The Big 5 show at the Dubai International Exhibition Center.

Last year, three Philippine firms joined the trade show. Combined, the construction companies were able to bag contracts worth almost half a million dollars.

The three firms are Gracepark International, makers of wood cabinets, solid wood doors; Teresa Marble Products, producers of floor tiles, slabs, interior components; and Raphael Legacy Designs, Inc., makers of mosaic tiles, medallion and table countertop. They will again join in the trade fair scheduled in Nov. 25 to 29.

Participating for the first time are Piedra Systems, Inc., producer of natural stones; Pacific Timber Export Corp., which makes molded doors, fire-rated doors; Sanyo Seiki Stainless Steel Corp., maker of metal sheets; Icoast Manufacturing Group, Inc., which sells evaporative cooling system; and YYD System Interiors, Inc., maker of laminated doors and accessories.

“The Philippine construction industry, specifically materials manufacturers are continuously innovating to answer the demands of the global construction boom,” Charles Belleza, chief executive officer of Raphael Legacy Designs, Inc., said.

The delegation will proceed to Fujairah and Qatar for exploratory talks and business meetings with pre-identified general contractors, property developers and distributors for possible projects/contract arrangements.

The Big 5 show has consistently grown in importance and become an essential driving force behind long-term economic development of countries throughout the region. Last year, the Big 5 attracted 2,894 exhibitors from 67 countries, including 30 national pavilions.

The construction industry in Dubai has been growing continuously following the country’s transition from the Persian Gulf’s principal fishing port to the world’s leading tourism destination and major commercial hub.

Major construction activities are ongoing across the country as it moves to attract 15 million tourists by 2010.