DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The largest annual meeting place for the contracting industry in the Middle East will be held October 27 to 31, 2001 in the Dubai World Trade Center, United Arab Emirates. The Big 5 trade fair will feature a new section to highlight marble and other natural stones.

During the five-day event last year, 160 professionals from across the Middle East and as far as Africa visited the fair. Representatives from 1,481 companies in 50 countries took part in the fair, covering all aspects of the construction and related industries. The Big 5 is a unique event, combining five major exhibitions under one roof, including Building & Construction, Water Tech-nology & Environment, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Cleaning & Maintenance and Glass & Metal, with special sections for stone and ceramics. This gives contractors, architects, engineers and buyers an opportunity to see the latest developments across a range of sectors, and to specify for ongoing and future projects across the Middle East.