Saudi Arabia's trade event for the construction industry The Big 5 Saudi, has been postponed to later this year due to the current issues surrounding the coronavirus, the organisers of the event, scheduled to be held from March 8 to 11 in Jeddah, said.

“It is after careful consideration and in consultation with key stakeholders, that dmg events announces the postponement of next week’s Big 5 Saudi Jeddah exhibition until later in 2020, due to the difficulty around travel arrangements due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and in consideration of everyone’s well-being,” said an update sent to event participants.

 “With more than 10,000 attendees from 45 countries, the Big 5 Saudi is extremely important for the construction sector but as such we take our responsibility for the health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors, employees and of course the local population, very seriously,” it said.

It said the situation is evolving rapidly and it is being monitored closely. “We are working with the authorities and venues in Saudi Arabia to re-schedule the Big 5 Saudi for later in the year when we can ensure we continue to deliver our globally trusted events in safe and conducive operating conditions,” it added.

 Earlier, it had announced a partnership with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), for the tenth edition of the show. The government body, SASO, is responsible for coordinating standardisation activities and facilitating the development of Saudi Standards by working with Government, industry and the community.

With a construction pipeline which includes mega-projects such the $17 billion King Salman Park; the $2.5 billion King Salman Airbase relocation; the $5 billion smart city development, Neom; entertainment destination Qiddiya estimated to be valued at $4 billion; the $9 billion luxury tourism Red Sea project; and the $800 million Kaar Gateway, amongst others,  the Big 5 Saudi’s partnership with SASO underscores the importance of the construction industry in the country and the highest standards of practice required to successfully complete the projects.

Commenting on the partnership, Eng. Zayed M. Albagami, deputy director of Efficiency Labels Department at SASO, said: “The SASO governs the organisational and executive tasks related to standards, metrology and quality, including laying down and accrediting Saudi standards of goods, products and services, measurement and calibration bodies, and procedures of conformity evaluation and certification.

“In this context, SASO is participating at The Big 5 Saudi to enhance the process of comprehensive and sustainable development in the Kingdom and to strengthen cooperation and coordination with concerned government and private sectors benefitting from standardisation, quality and calibration activities as well as mutual recognition.”

To know more, visit www.thebig5saudi.com.