On November 3, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, James Wainaina Macharia, and the Principal Secretary, Arch. Aidah N. Munano, visited The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 exhibition organized by dmg events Middle East Asia & Africa with the support of the National Construction Authority (NCA).
The official exhibition of Kenya’s first National Construction Week hosts over 150 exhibitors from 20 countries showcasing the latest and most innovative solutions for the built environment at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) until Friday, 4 November. The first day of the event gathered an impressive number of participants, over 2000 professionals, according to the event organiser.
“I am truly happy to have come to The Big 5 Construct East Africa today: there are so many construction products being exhibited here and I am learning a lot from foreign companies that are attending the event. I praise the organisers for bringing all these manufacturers to Nairobi, as this is a unique opportunity for construction industry professionals in Kenya to learn and exchange innovative ideas,” Joseph Oduor, one of the visitors to the event, said.
The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016, which is co-located with NCA’s second Annual Construction Research Conference and Exhibition (ACoRCE 2016), is set to be the central meeting place for global manufacturers to network and do business in Kenya and the broader East African region.
“The East African market is one of the fastest growing in the world, and definitely one of the best for building construction products,” Massimiliano Tripoldi representing Kenyan exhibitor Kenbro Isotech tech, commented. “We are very happy to be here at this exhibition. The first day of the show was truly busy and I believe we will be doing some very good business in these three days”.
More and more international companies are turning to the East African region to grow their business. “The construction industry in the region is growing: it is a green market, and I believe it offers great opportunities for everyone who works in this sector,” Fellaris Wambui, spokesperson Rak Ceramic, the UAE based manufacturer of wall and floor ceramic and porcelain tiles, said.
“We are really impressed to see so many people and especially key industry stakeholders at the event. On the first day of The Big 5 Construct East Africa the turnout was really good and we definitely plan to come back next year,” Ms. Wambui added. Katie Steen, representing UK exhibitor Balneum, agrees: “We are meeting a lot of genuinely interested people, yesterday and this morning the turnout was truly fantastic. We are very happy and impressed by The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 and we hope to come back next year”.
According to Ms. Steen, in Kenya there’s a strong need for high quality products but at a price that is more affordable than what is currently available in the market. “This is a trend we are experiencing in other East African countries as well: customers look for higher quality solutions at a reasonable price; that’s why so many buyers are showing interest in our products. The local market is flourishing and there seems to be a lot of construction going on in the country”.
“We trust The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 will open a brand new chapter in the development of the construction industry in Kenya,” Patrick Gedeon, Event Manager of The Big 5 Construct East Africa, commented. More than just an exhibition, the event offers construction professionals a wide range of learning and networking opportunities, through 15+ complimentary CPD certified workshops delivered by industry experts.
On the third and last day of the show, the educational offer will focus on the theme of sustainability in construction. At 11:20 am, Elizabeth Wangeci Chege, CEO MSc Building Services, will present a workshop themed “Paradigm Shift to Green Building in Africa”, which will explore sustainable development goals including green building systems in the African continent. At 12:40 pm, visitors will be able to listen to Nickson Otieno, Coordinator of Green Building Standards and Certification at Green Africa Foundation, discussing “The GreenMark: A National Green Building Standards and Certification System”.
Entrance to The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 is free. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, on 2 – 4 November 2016 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, the event is the official exhibition of Kenya’s National Construction Week launched by Hon Proff Jacob Kaimenyi Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning earlier this year.
The National Construction Week is backed by the Ministry of Lands & Physical Planning, the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development, the Ministry of Water & Irrigation, and Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest).
The event also enjoys the support of Kenya Federation of Master Builders, UN-OPS, Kenya Institute of Public Policy, Research and Analysis, Town and Country Planners Associations of Kenya (TCPAK), Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), The Institute of Clerks of Works, Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Architecture and Technology, Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), Kenya Railways, Kenya Wildlife Service, and the National Commission of Science, Technology and Innovation.
