The four-day construction expo, which coincides with the COP 28 UAE, presents an opportunity to the French industry leaders specialised in digital transformation, MEP, building materials, sustainability and contractors gathered under the French Fab banner, said a senior official. 

 

"The French construction and building-finishing industry is poised to establish strategic alliances in the region. The partnership between France and the UAE, founded on a mutual commitment to prioritizing sustainable construction practices and carbon emission reduction, finds unity in the shared vision outlined at COP 28," stated Axel Baroux, French Trade & Invest Commissioner.

 

The upcoming Big 5 Global exhibition presents a crucial opportunity for forging business. This event serves as an ideal platform to engage with international buyers, specifiers, suppliers, manufacturers, and more within a specific industry, stated Baroux. 

 

At the event, French companies will share their expertise to shape the future and forward-thinking practices within the construction sector, he added.    

 

Committed to fostering networks, driving innovation, and pursuing both net-zero and digital excellence, it aligns with the broader goals of sustainable development. Joining the ranks of key players in the French construction industry, including Freyssinet Gulf (a subsidiary of Vinci Construction), VSL, Soletanche-Bachy, Bureau Veritas, Lafarge, Saint-Gobain, already successfully established in the UAE and the Gulf region, this exhibition addresses the evolving challenges of building sustainable cities in the region.

 

"The 16 French exhibitors to be discovered at the French Pavilion will present new materials, products and solutions for facility management, smart building, urban planning & landscaping and eco-construction: robotic handling systems; simplified access management fully accessible from a smartphone; eco-friendly nano-coatings and paints; innovative, solar-lit security fences; wood-framed houses; technologies and services dedicated to ultra-high-performance concrete; revolutionary fastening system for terraces, coverings and ceilings; and a manufacturer of pure natural hydraulic lime for the restoration and conservation of built heritage and an OC1 single-layer coating for waterproofing and decoration of new external vertical façades and certified “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company), recognition of exceptional know-how," observed Baroux. 

 

According to him, the building market is a heavyweight for the French and European economies. "France is the European leader in construction, driven by Vinci, VSL a member of Bouygues Construction, Soletanche Bachy and Eiffage," he stated. 

 

"The French offer is highly diversified, capable of mobilising many skills over the long term, from structural work to finishing work. The sector has 394,000 companies and recorded historic revenue of €149 billion in 2022," he added.

 

Baroux pointed out that Egypt represents a significant growth opportunity for French companies, particularly within the context of megaprojects spearheaded by the Egyptian government as part of its transformative 'Egypt Vision 2030.' 

 

"This dynamic landscape offers a fertile ground for collaboration and innovation, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between French enterprises and Egypt's ambitious development agenda," he added.-TradeArabia News Service