| Oman’s construction sector not hit by global slowdown |
By A Staff Reporter
MUSCAT The construction sector in Oman is not affected by the global economic slowdown, say participants of Interiors and Buildex 2009, the sixth international exhibition of building materials, heavy equipment and interior furnishings.
The exhibition organised by Omanexpo began at Oman International Exhibition Centre on Monday.
The exhibition was formally inaugurated by HE Eng Sultan Bin Hamdoun Bin Saif Al Harthy, Chairman of the Muscat Municipality, in the presence of officials of different ministries, ambassadors and the top management officials of the participating companies.
As many as 200 companies from 20 countries are participating in the exhibition. The products on display include air-conditioning systems, concrete and cement products, bathroom fittings, paint products, doors and windows, lighting fixtures, kitchen modules, marble products and security systems. Some of the exhibitors are displaying new products.
“The large number of participants at Interiors and Buildex 2009 clearly reflects the emergence of Oman as a major market for all products and equipment for the building and construction industry,” said CJ Paul, general manager of Omanexpo. The participation of foreign firms is an excellent indicator of the prevailing opportunities and attractive prospects in the industry, he added.
National pavilions of Turkey, Kuwait, Italy, the UAE, Thailand and India have been set up in the exhibition. Other countries that are represented in the exhibition include Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Talking to Oman Tribune, HE Engin Turker, Ambassador of Turkey to the Sultanate, said 22 companies from his country are participating in the exhibition. They are displaying heavy machinery and different items used by construction industry, he said.
“Last year also we participated in the exhibition and did business worth $20 million. We expect to do much better this time,” he added. Turker said some of the Turkish companies are displaying new products. AK Metal, a Turkish company, is displaying several new steel products including steel products with engravings.
Asok N. Borkar, general manager of Oman Concrete Products, said some of the new products displayed at the company’s stall include mortar less blocks, non-skid tiles and reflective tiles which can be interlocked. The company produces all types of pre-cast materials, said Shankar T Shetty, sales and marketing manager. He said the economic slowdown did not impact the company much and it has recently opened a new plant at Rusayl.
EJ Madhu, senior marketing manager of Decorstone, a Sultanate-based company, said the economic downturn has not affected their business. Decorstone is a light-weight, heat-insulated artificial stone made of chemically treated sand which is used by the construction industry. He said around 10,000 houses have been built in the Sultanate, using the stone. It is also being exported, he said.
Alexander Kaspar, project manager of Nuspl, a German company, said his company wants to popularise pre-cast concrete products here. The economic downturn had affected Europe and the aim of the company is to find new markets, said Kasper.
Oman Tribune
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