Six home building companies to attend Middle East Fair

Exporters eye business contracts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi

Six Filipino exporters in the home building sector hope to clinch business contracts in the Middle East market, specifically Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Philippine companies Grace Park International, Lightworks Resources Inc., Madeka Stone Development Enterprises, Raphael Legacy, Teresa Marble, and World Chem Enviro Technologies will represent the Philippines in the country’s first foray into Big 5 Dubai (28 October-November1), the Middle East Fair targeting the construction market.

“The Philippine home building sector is ready for independent promotion in Dubai,” according to Trade Assistant Secretary Fe Agoncillo-Reyes, head of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For the past three years, Philippine home building companies would join firms engaged in furniture and home accents in INDEX, another Middle East show for furniture, interiors, and retail design.

The Philippines first participation in The Big 5 Dubai is expected to establish contracts with the key decision makers in the Gulf region, as well as equip the Philippine construction materials supplies company with knowledge on best industry practices and standards. The Philippine participation is organized by CITEM.

This year, the participation to the Big 5 Dubai is also seen as a venue to secure supplier contracts and bigger sales, according to James Rosca, export manager of Teresa Marble. As majority of construction projects in the Gulf near completion, demand for woodworks and coverings is expected to increase.

Teresa Marble has been operating for more than 25 years supplying marbles to countries like the United States and Asia. It has an annual production capacity of 12,000 cubic meters sourced from Bulacan, Rizal, and Cebu.

Grace Park International makes wooden kitchen systems. It is the country’s only manufacturer of particle boards.

Lightworks Resources, Inc is famous for its earthenware pieces and will introduce its bathroom sink, wall, and floor tiles in the fair.

Madeka Stone Development Enterprises has 15 years of experience in manufacturing and distributing natural stones. It will seek to clinch deals for its slates, wood stones, shell stones, and coco coir.

Raphael Legacy, an awardee of utility patent for its mosaic products will feature its Greek and Roman inspired mosaic tiles, floor tiles, and medallion.

World Chem Enviro Technologies, Inc., provider of waste and wastewater treatment technologies, equipment and related process, on the other hand, will look into UAE’s US$7 billion spending for water resources development for the next 25 years.

The Philippine pavilion will be at BN E445 of Shaikh Maktoum Hall.

Philippine construction materials suppliers are specified for prestigious projects worldwide because of its competitive price and quality, environment-friendly operations, customer orientation, sales and delivery reliability, and excellent post sales service commitments.

The country’s readiness and capacity to supply bulk requirements are credited to its abundant natural resources. Philippine marble known for its color and durability has recorded US$ 9 million of exports in 2005, posting an annual growth rate of 7.7%. The country has 13 exporters with abundant supply from Bulacan, Metro Manila, Romblon, Cebu, Nueva Ecija, and Batangas.

Woodworks is also one of the growth drivers of Philippine construction material industry with an average growth rate of 29%. Last year, woodworks has contributed US$ 107.49 million from the country’s construction material exports.
The sanitary and bathroom fixtures manufacturing industry posted US$27.15 million in 2005, recording an annual growth rate of 36%.