The second edition of the Stone & Surface Saudi Arabia will be held in Jeddah from 10-12 April amid an uptick in construction projects in the country
?Trending this year are natural stones including marble, granite, travertine, slate, and limestone ? likely to feature heavily across the kingdom?s mega construction projects,? added Wang.
The event will be held at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.
Turkey, one of the world?s largest natural stone reserves, will have the biggest presence at the event this year.
?The increase in construction activity throughout the kingdom is creating widespread demand for stone, essential for this region with its continued position as a preferred material for external applications due to its weather conditions," Yan Wang, event director of Stone & Surface Saudi Arabia said.
Construction uptick
The country has seen a rush of reforms ushered in by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has pushed for the selling of a stake in oil giant Saudi Aramco, lifting of a ban on women drivers, and reopening cinemas among others.
?A change of regulations has green-lighted the creation of the entertainment sector and industries related to it, while a rapidly growing population and urbanisation increase the provisions for basic services such as healthcare, education, energy, water, and roads,? Avin Gidwani, CEO, BNC Network said.
Saudi Arabia has seen a slew of mega construction project announcements including the US$500bn Neom City as it looks to cut its dependence on oil revenues.
?If projects such as the recently announced Neom Economic Zone are delivered as advertised, it would for all effects and purposes be a whole new kingdom that would challenge other regional economic centres,? Gidwani said.
