The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2017 (1-3 November) will play host to 220 local and international exhibiting brands during the three days of National Construction Week. The construction industry in Kenya will continue to flourish following on from the re-election of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the 2017 General Election. With the Kenya Vision 2030 as a blueprint, all current projects are set to remain underway and the target still in sight.
Kenya’s Vision 2030 is the plan that will see the nation become a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life. Continued efforts to reach the 2030 goal mean that contractors will still benefit from the upward growth previously exhibited by the Kenyan market.
Ahead of the National Construction Week, Chairman of the National Construction Authority (NCA) Steven Oundo, OGW, confirms that the current “major overhaul of the country’s infrastructure is set to continue steadily in the coming years, as we prepare to grow, expand, improve and develop our country.”
In light of the “very crucial role that legislation plays towards sustainable development”, Oundo reveals that the third edition of the Annual Construction Research Conference and Exhibition (ACoRCE) will focus on Harnessing the Potential of Legal & Institutional Framework for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the Construction Industry.
ACoRCE is organised by the NCA and is co-located with The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2017, the official exhibition of Kenya’s National Construction Week. The events will be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre from 1 to 3 November 2017.
Portfolio Exhibitions Director for The Big 5 Construct East Africa Andy Pert evaluates that “9,000 attendees comprising of architects, developers, contractors, investors, engineers and consultants will be connected with some 220 exhibiting brands at the event in Kenya, making it the central meeting place for industry professionals looking to harness construction opportunities afforded by Vision 2030, and the broader East African region.”
Mr. Oundo covers the variety of continuing opportunities in Kenya’s construction industry, detailing that “this year has seen the launch of the much anticipated Standard Gauge Railway, a modern, efficient transport system that has put Kenya on the path to industrialization, especially due to the value addition that will emanate from the manufacturing sector having made the transportation of cargo faster and easier. The overall impact of Phase 1 of the SGR is de-congested roads leading to millions saved in road maintenance fees, the employment of over 30,000 Kenyans and a further increase in employment opportunities directly and indirectly through the industries coming up along the railway line. The country’s road networks have also greatly expanded, with over 2000 inter-city highways currently under construction, with thousands of kilometers of both urban and rural roads in various stages of procurement.”
Discussing the improvement of air traffic in Kenya he draws attention to “critical expansions [that have] taken place for major airports across the country; the Kisumu Airport was expanded to become a hub to support and service the Great Lakes Trade, Isiolo Airport soon to be launched, is meant to support the LAPPSET corridor as well as to market the Isiolo Resort City. The Lamu and Malindi airports are also being upgraded, and these developments have improved safety and security, created employment opportunities and increased connectivity across region, boosting trade.”
The Big 5 East Africa will also offer 25 CPD (Continued Professional Development) certified complimentary workshops delivered by industry experts, focusing on overarching themes of Product Innovation, Safety, Technology & Green Construction.
Other features of the show include business matchmaking, live product demonstrations, curated exhibition and construction site tours and the NCA gala dinner – a new evening networking event for key exhibitors to network with the 1,000+ senior level delegates of the ACoRCE (NCA) conference.