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Surface Design Middle East to boost MENA construction market

MENA construction market is expected to be worth US$336bn by 2020. (Image source: Eric Haglund/Flickr)

The 5th edition of Middle East?s premier event for flooring, wall coverings and ceiling solutions Surface Design Middle East will take place, as a part of Middle East Design and Hospitality Week 2019, from 17-19 September 2019 at Dubai World Trade Centre

According to a BMI Research report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) construction market is expected to be worth US$336bn. Real estate projects spanning hospitality, retail and residential are driving the demand in architecture and interior products.

At the event, architects, interior designers, consultants, contractors, other related industry professionals as well as CEOs, GMs and MDs will have access to an extensive range of products that include surface materials, composite flooring, textiles and wall coverings that will bolster their offerings to cater to the forecasted demand.

BNC Projects Journal estimates that there are currently more than 15,000 projects in the UAE estimated at US$791bn and US$827.4bn in Saudi Arabia. Urban construction contributes 45 per cent of planned and ongoing work in the GCC and is valued at US$1.08 trillion.

Hotel industry analysts STR?s April 2019 pipeline data revealed there are 424 hotel projects accounting for 125,052 rooms in construction in the Middle East. According to ProTenders, ?The UAE had 652 hospitality projects worth US$107.8bn underway as of April 2019.?

In the retail space, the head of research at JLL MENA shared that 700,000 sq m of additional space is due to be completed in 2019 and 2020, and BNC Projects Journal revealed there are 674 planned or upcoming healthcare projects estimated at US$51.6bn in the GCC. Reidin highlights that construction in the residential sector leads the way with 76,500 units in the pipeline for 2020, according to announcements made by developers.

Sharing insight on trends in decorative surfaces across sectors, Madhusudhan Rao, CEO, Danube Group, said, ?Sustainable Design, Smart Space Planning, International Aesthetics with local flavour are amongst the few trends that are popular in the GCC.?

?Residences have become way softer with nature-inspired themes over the last few years. Schools too have bright and attractive design features that make the students feel positive and welcoming. Moreover, the hospitals in the GCC have also understood and realised the need of the hour i.e. how a good surface design can immensely help in improving the mood and health of the patients along with the feeling of well-being, keeping the hygiene a topmost priority.?

The show will host a specialised selection of modern surface materials expertly curated by MaterialDistrict the world?s leading network in the field of innovative materials. All materials have been selected exclusively for interiors and design-related professionals that have functional properties as well as aesthetic ones.

Tony Crinion, portfolio director at dmg events Design Division, said, ?There is a strong pipeline of construction and refurbishment projects in MENA which will impact the interior design and fit-out industry in the region. Interior designers, architects, even end-users across residential, hospitality, health and fitness, education, industrial sectors are exploring possibilities where aesthetics, functionality, durability, technology, sustainability converge when choosing surfaces. In that respect, Surface Design Middle East will be incredibly relevant for professionals and decision-makers in the region?s design sector.?

Surface Design Middle East is co-located alongside INDEX, Workspace, FIM, The Hotel Show, The Leisure Show, and INDEX Home as part of Middle East Design & Hospitality Week 2019.