Construction activities and facilities management (FM) continue to be the mainstay of the economic activities in the region.

Experts in the field estimate that in the life cycle of a building, the design and construction phase only accounts for 20 per cent of the overall costs, with the remaining 80 per cent being taken up by the operation, maintenance and management of the facilities.

Research indicates that the facilities management market in the Gulf will be worth an estimated $892 billion over the next 25 years. The figures show that the FM industry in the UAE alone is potentially worth $704 billion, with the markets in Saudi Arabia and Qatar worth $96 billion and $92 billion respectively.

Cost-effective building materials and maintenance solutions are much sought after to increase the investment potential of a building by making it more energy efficient and also increase its long-term viability in the harsh Gulf environment.

Building Materials & Maintenance (BMM), which will be held from March 21-23, 2011, at Expo Centre Sharjah, will cater to the continuing construction activities and an increasing demand for the services and products that are required for ongoing facilities management.

The event will feature a comprehensive display of the latest technology in building material products and services by bringing together leading players in the field from the region all within the UAE’s industrial heartland.

BMM will be a leading sourcing platform for general and specialised building supplies, a one-of-its-kind networking opportunity and a chance to become part of the wider construction industry.