Leading international industry experts will be in Dubai to highlight the latest trends, technologies and techniques in precast concrete construction, at the inaugural Big 5 Innovation in Precast Summit, being held in co-ordination with the UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

The two-day event will kick off on November 26 and run alongside the 38th edition of The Big 5, the region’s largest and most influential construction event, said the organiser.

A prelude to The Big 5 Heavy, running from March 26 to 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, The Big 5 Innovation in Precast Summit will bring together internationally renowned precast experts and leading suppliers of concrete products for a two-day event tailored for the Middle East region.

It will feature some of the global industry leaders including Elematic, Hard Precast, German Plant Experience, Columbia Machine, Weckenmann and Command Alcon.

Organised in partnership with BetonTage, Europe's largest precast congress, the two-day event will be inaugurated by Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development.

"Achieving a balanced and sustainable infrastructure development in line with the best international standards is one of the ministry’s main missions, along with ensuring the completion of the national housing programme," remarked Dr Al Nuaimi.

"Precast concrete is a strategic component of our development plans and The Big 5 Innovation in Precast Summit will go a long way in advancing the infrastructure industry in the UAE," he stated.

The minister pointed out that precast technology played an important role in achieving the ministry’s initiatives and objectives, by moving forward the UAE infrastructure toward excellence.

"Precast technology can boost the quality and speed of construction projects, and is widely employed for both infrastructure components (rail systems, highways and roads), and structural building and architecture components," he stated.

Al Nuaimi said hosting such a summit highlights the role of the UAE in leading the change process to achieve a promising future in the field of infrastructure development, as it brings together decision-makers and major international companies specialised in the sector, which offer the most advanced and innovative solutions.

"In the UAE, we are aware of the importance of developing infrastructure based on creative ideas, in line with the country's development over the past years, as well as its position on the global map for the coming years," he added.

Josine Heijmans, the portfolio event director of The Big 5, said: "We are extremely proud of the ministry’s support to the event, which confirms the growing importance of precast concrete in the infrastructure development of the UAE."

"As cost-saving, durable and sustainable materials, innovative precast solutions offer unprecedented opportunities in the built environment, which should not be underestimated," noted Heijmans.

The summit will offer a high-level education agenda, spanning from structural design and innovation, to transformation technology, and sustainability and green buildings.-TradeArabia News Service