The UAE’s construction industry looks set to maintain its leading position within the GCC as the country continues to prepare for Expo 2020 Dubai. BNC Network states that $36 billion worth of projects are currently being tendered in a variety of sectors including urban development and oil and gas. In addition to new projects, BNC Network states that 50% of all construction occurring within the GCC’s six member countries is happening in the UAE. It states that UAE projects represent 34% of the total value of regional projects.
The largest projects currently underway in the UAE are: Yas Island, a mixed use development which is already home to the world’s only Ferrari theme park (Ferrari World). Al Reem Island, another mixed use Development in Abu Dhabi. Dubai South, an economic zone to facilitate businesses using Al Maktoum International Airport (which upon completion will be the world’s largest able to handle 160m passengers a day). And the UAE’s first nuclear power plant, Barakah, which is set to start phased operations this year and to be fully operational by 2020.
In terms of individual projects; as of November 2017, Dubai had 3046 construction projects underway. Abu Dhabi 971, Sharjah 1454, and Ajman, the UAE’s smallest emirate by land mass, 824. The majority of projects are residential and retail, but there is also a lot of infrastructure development underway as the UAE builds the first inter-emirate rail network, connects and improves roads, and joins the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Gulf.
In March, The Big 5 Heavy (26 – 28 March 2018), will host companies operating in concrete, PMV, roadworks, mining, and building materials and manufacturing. The Big 5 Heavy has been created to cover the early construction cycle from breaking ground, drilling, producing building materials, through to earthmoving and lifting, while the Big 5 event which occurs every November in the UAE concentrates on fixtures, fittings, and finished products.
If you are considering attending the Big 5 Heavy event, we can arrange a series of appointments in advance of your arrival. I will be at the event so if you plan to attend for fact-finding purposes it would be good to meet you. You can email me BCB