France will be making a good showing in the aisles at the BIG 5. Brought together in the national pavilion organised by Ubifrance - the French Agency for International Business Development -, thirty companies will unveil their latest innovations at the building industry's star event opening in Dubai on 5th November.

There are currently a slew of large-scale projects happening in the Emirates. Qatar is in the midst of a boom on account of the World Cup that the country will be hosting in 2022. This makes for a host of exciting perspectives for French building industry companies looking to develop business in the Gulf countries. As the tenth-ranking exporter worldwide, France makes two-thirds of its foreign sales in the European Union, while the Middle East only accounts for 2% of the sector's export turnover.

Yet the French building industry has substantial experience in many fields. Having set long-term environmental and energy-savings objectives for the country, the Grenelle Roundtable on the Environment has given a shot in the arm to innovation, which together with quality and design, make up the strong points in France's offer.

There will be major groups and specialised firms, representing the various trades in the building industry: architecture and interior design services, fa?ade and roofing products, plumbing fixtures, tooling, protective and safety equipment, composite materials, miscellaneous hardware and fittings... the list is a long one!

The solutions on offer tend to favour environmental protection and energy savings, without in any way overlooking quality or longevity, as well as paying careful attention to adapting to local constraints. The companies are also demonstrating a long-term approach. Over fifty of them will be taking part in the Region's three main events, namely the Big Five Show and Middle East Concrete in Dubai (November 5th to 8th), and Saudi Build in Riyadh (November 11th to 14th).

(Contact : Mr Jean-Fran?ois Leborgne, jean-francois.leborgne@ubifrance.fr, www.ubifrance.fr)