Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 31 May 2024:
His Excellency Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia opened the 2nd edition of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia alongside Her Excellency Chaltu Sani, Minister of Urban and Infrastructure in Ethiopia, at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa.
“The construction sector is playing a crucial role in foundational development and job creation in Ethiopia,” said H.E. Tiruneh in his remarks at the opening, adding that the construction industry has reached a significant milestone, contributing 21% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
The opening ceremony of the event was attended by Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of House of Peoples' Representatives and Adanech Abiebie, Addis Ababa Mayor.
Unpacking the depth and scale of the event, Mehtap Gürsoy, Portfolio Director - Construction, dmg events, said: “Big 5 Construct Ethiopia has become a prestigious international event allowing for the public and private sector to engage with one another and leverage collaboration for change. The event makes a significant contribution to Ethiopia’s Vision 2030 goals, providing the industry with the opportunities it needs to transform urban landscapes through enhanced infrastructure and sustainable development.”
Day 1 of the event hosted the high-profile Ministerial Forum, which emphasized the role of events such as Big 5 Construct Ethiopia in advancing the growth and development of the construction and infrastructure sectors in the country.
During the discussion H.E. Eng. Wondimu Seta, State Minister of the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, stressed on the importance of infrastructure in supporting the growth of the construction industry.
Meanwhile, Hanna Arayaselassie, Head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), highlighted tax incentives, subsidies and policy reforms aimed at attracting foreign direct investment in industrial parks.
Also speaking at the forum, Bereket Fesehatsion, CEO of Development Planning and Public Investment Management from the Ministry of Planning and Development outlined Homegrown Economic Reform's vision for the role of infrastructure and construction in economic reform and development and Dr. Ayana Zewdie, Ethiopia Tamirit Project Office Coordinator from the Ministry of Industry discussed the long-term vision and positive contributions of international building materials' companies in Ethiopia’s local market.
Fellow panelist Dr.-Ing. Eshetayehu Kinfu Tesfaye, Head of Strategic Programs Management, Addis Ababa City Administration, spoke on the economic benefits of corridor development and strategies for real estate development in Addis Ababa.
On the opening day of the event, CPD-certified talks included a panel discussion on the future of real estate and housing; navigating a challenging market for buyers and sellers; and strategies for affordable housing development. The panel was moderated by Dr. Abaham Assefa, Project Director/Manager Nawab Engineering and included speakers from Leul Dereje Consults and AFRICON Group, as panellists. At Big 5 Talks, Dr. Fitsum Teklu, Transport Economic Expert, Addis Ababa University explored state and national road projects and their impact on the economy in his presentation; while Solomon Teshome Nekatibeb, General Manager, Grace Constructions, unpacked waterproofing problems and their solutions.
A new feature at this year’s Big 5 Construct Ethiopia is the Construction VR Experience Hub, where visitors can experience the future of buildings. The experience hub provides immersive virtual reality (VR) safety training drills and presents detailed 3D replicas of Ethiopia’s most iconic construction sites. “This new feature provides a unique chance to the visitors to not only engage with the latest trends and innovations in the construction industry but also creates realistic scenarios where construction and engineering professionals learn ways to enhance safety awareness and compliance,” added Gürsoy.
The event features over 160 exhibitors representing 22 countries, with exhibiting companies presenting a diverse array of products, services and solutions essential for advancing Ethiopia's ambitious construction sector plans. UAE-based GEMINI Technical Industries showcases advanced construction materials and solutions; Muscat Supply Company of Oman brings extensive selection of bearings, oil seals, power transmission products; and Türkiye-based Corbus Metal presents a wide range of steel products used for various industrial applications.
Commenting on the event, Yared Debebe, CEO, Grace Construction Chemicals, Gold Sponsor of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and an exhibitor, said: “We at Grace Construction Chemicals are demonstrating, at Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, our advanced technologies that enhance the longevity of structures and contribute to sustainable building practices. Our commitment to excellence drives us to constantly push the boundaries of what's possible, delivering cutting-edge DARMA products that redefine industry standards.”
Gürsoy concluded, saying: “The next two days of the event are set to be as exciting and engaging, providing attendees with significant opportunities for growth and collaboration across a wide array of exhibitors, presentations and speakers.”
Big 5 Construct Ethiopia is free-to-attend for industry professionals, excluding visitors under the age of 18. To register, visit: www.big5constructethiopia.com
Registration is now open with free admission to trade and industry professionals over the age of 18. For more information visit: register.big5constructethiopia.com
For media queries contact:
Ranju Warrier, Head of Communications – Construction, dmg events
About Big 5 Construct Ethiopia
Big 5 Construct Ethiopia is the premier event for the construction industry bringing together local and international companies to showcase products & services, innovation, expertise and knowledge to the Ethiopian construction industry.
Part of Big 5, the largest construction portfolio of events global portfolio of Big 5 construction events. Big 5 Construct Ethiopia is set to take place in Addis Ababa from 30 May – 1 June 2024. The event is free to attend for industry professionals. For more information, visit: https://www.big5constructethiopia.com/
About dmg events
dmg events is a leading organizer of face-to-face events and publisher of trade magazines and information services. Our aim is to create dynamic marketplaces to connect businesses with the right communities to accelerate their growth in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
With a presence in over 30+ countries and organizing more than 100+ events each year, dmg events is a global leader in the industry. Attracting over 425,000 attendees and delegates annually, we organize events in the construction, hospitality, food & beverages, interiors & design, energy, coatings, entertainment and transportation sectors.
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Our flagship events include Big 5 Global, The Hotel Show, INDEX, ADIPEC and Gastech. For more information visit www.dmgevents.com. Founded in 1989, dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT, www.dmgt.co.uk).
