The United Arab Emirates and Saudi
Arabia are considered as potential import markets for Vietnam's
construction materials.
According to the Vietnam Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (VCCI), since 2006, more than 2,000 construction
projects have been implemented in countries in the Middle East, of
which the UAE and Saudi Arabia accounted for 29 percent and 30 percent,
respectively.
The two countries alone use 15-20 percent of total number of cranes in use worldwide.
However, local producers have only partly met increasing demand for
construction materials. The cost for construction in the Middle East is
estimated to have increase 20 percent annum in recent years.
"There is high demand for imported construction materials in the Middle
East. This is an opportunity for Vietnam's construction material
export enterprises," said Tran Van Huynh, chairman of the Vietnam
Construction Materials Association.
However, for Vietnamese construction materials enterprises to
effectively enter these markets, they need to directly survey the
market and find local counterparts. In addition, they will also need to
participate in construction material fairs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to the Vietnam Trade Promotion Department.
Among the construction material exhibitions and fairs, the Big 5
International Building and Construction Show which takes place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi is one of the most prestigious fairs in the Middle East.
It brings together investors, importers, agents and distributors in the
Middle East and global construction materials and real estate sectors.
With the intention of supporting business opportunities and enhancing
the export of construction materials to the markets, the Government
will aid enterprises participating at the Big 5 – International
Building and Construction Show 2010, with subsidised stall rent (stall
rental prices at the fair are 570 USD per square metre) and the costs
of promotional material for the two potential markets.
In 2009, Vietnam's construction materials export turnover was
estimated to reach 230 million USD, including construction glass, tiles
and sanitary ware.
This year, Vietnam plans to earn 350 million USD
from construction material exports, according to the Vietnam
Construction Material Association./.