Chinese construction firms keen to explore Middle East markets

DUBAI - Chinese construction companies said on Sunday that demand in the Middle East region remains high despite the geopolitical issues.

The remarks were made during the largest construction and building maintenance fair in the Middle East and North Africa, known as "Big 5," which attracted 2,500 firms from 60 countries.

Speaking to Xinhua at the Chinese pavilion, Vincent Deng, managing director of China's Tuojia International Trade Company, said that they came to the fair because they were looking forward to the potential of the market in the Middle East.

For Seven Huang, manager of China's Hongbo Adhesive Technology company, it is the second time he travelled to Dubai for business.

"We offer a wide range of adhesive tapes with various prices, as we figured out that in the two biggest Gulf markets, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, we can serve our customers better if we offer products of different qualities," added the Chinese businessman.

"Saudi and the UAE are growing markets for us, we are also exporting to Iran," said Gina Zhou, international business manager of Zhengfeng Iron and Steel Corporation.

She added that the Chinese government is regulating the steel market well, "so that there is a balanced market instead of an oversupply."

China was the biggest exporter of construction products for the UAE in 2016, with a market share of 30 percent and a total value of $3.9 billion, according to the event organizer DMG Events.

"We notice that Chinese products have improved in quality, so they are no longer cheaper than their competitive products from Europe," said Abdullmajeed Al-Khalaf, a Saudi Arabian company owner.