INTERMAT Middle East, the region’s biggest dedicated exhibition for construction machinery, equipment and materials came to a close with an overwhelming response and support from the Ministry of Public Works of UAE (MoPW), the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) for Abu Dhabi, globally recognized exhibitors and respected decision makers that included developers, contractors and distributors in the region.

The second edition attracted more than 100 exhibitors of which 75 per cent were international brands exhibiting from their regional offices. This blend of major international companies, and the main players in the regional market, reinforced the fact that INTERMAT Middle East is now established as the recognised industry platform for the Middle East.

INTERMAT Middle East 2012 welcomed over 5,500 attendees across the three days from around the Middle East. The exhibition saw millions of dollars of orders placed and new contacts made with senior-level executives from the region’s most thriving construction companies. These senior-level purchasing negotiations have helped to cement INTERMAT Middle East definitively as the industry’s annual meeting point. The third edition will be in late 2013.

The MoPW and the DMA both showed strong support for the second annual INTERMAT Middle East with the organisation of the highly informative two-day Investment and Innovation in Construction summit. Furthermore both companies had senior level representatives actively participate at their respective areas located in the exhibition to provide additional details during workshops on current projects in the UAE, and what stakeholders in the construction industry can take advantage of as Abu Dhabi builds its 2030 vision.

The networking platform created by INTERMAT Middle East enabled exhibitors to secure contracts and potential deals with construction industry representatives from countries that included: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey and others.

Gaby Rhayem, Regional Director - Middle East, DOOSAN Infracore Construction Equipment, said: “INTERMAT Middle East is a very successful event. We met excellent contractors from across the Middle East - UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others. We were extremely fortunate to acquire great contacts with senior executives and decision makers over the three days of the event. DOOSAN sold more than 10 machines valued at over AED10 million during this exhibition, and we are certainly looking forward to participating next year as well.”

Laurent Zanni, Key Account Manager - France, Group BEHM International, a company that successfully operates in the Vehicles and Trucking industry, said: “INTERMAT Middle East was able to attract senior level executives and directors that are very knowledgeable about the products, which makes networking and building business relationships very interesting for us. On the first day of the exhibition itself, we were able to schedule meetings with a few key distributors within the next few months. In addition, we also got the opportunity to meet government officials from other GCC countries, one of which includes representatives from the Office of the Minister of State, and Governor of Dhofar from the Sultanate of Oman. We are very pleased with this exhibition and will definitely return to participate next year at INTERMAT Middle East 2013.”

Dick van der Starre, Sales Director for Xcentric Ripper, said: “Our target at INTERMAT Middle East 2012 was to find distributors in the region and we have managed to secure contacts with about 10 of them and I can choose which one is the best to represent our product in the region. I am in a luxurious situation. Many people want to take this product to sell and I have to pick the best candidate for my company.”

Matthew Robarts, INTERMAT Exhibition Director in the Middle East, continued: “We would like to thank the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) for Abu Dhabi, the exhibitors and attendees for their excellent collaboration to make the second annual INTERMAT Middle East a success. The fact that we had so many of the key regional companies exhibiting has undoubtedly helped our dramatic improvement in visitor attendance and quality this year, and we are thankful for their support.”

Asmaa Cherraf, INTERMAT Project Manager, summarized her highlights: “The thought provoking discussions at the Investment and Innovation Summit by the MoPW and the DMA has enabled companies to strategically, methodically and efficiently plan out their means of project execution. I am looking forward to returning in 2013 to hear them share progress on these matters with fellow peers, making the third annual INTERMAT Middle East a must-attend event for construction professionals.”

INTERMAT Middle East 2012 was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works, UAE, and was organised by Comexposium in collaboration with Clarion Events Middle East.

For more information on INTERMAT Middle East, please visit: http://www.intermat-middleeast.com/>

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