Italy has reaffirmed its leadership role in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector with a notable participation at Big 5 Construct Saudi 2026. The exhibition opened on January 18 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center and will continue until Wednesday, January 21. Now in its 14th edition, the event features over 1,100 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, making it one of the region’s leading platforms for construction industry professionals.
The 2026 edition underscores Italy’s growing importance as a strategic partner in Saudi Arabia’s building sector. Over 90 Italian companies are taking part, showcasing the design quality, technological innovation, and manufacturing standards associated with the Made in Italy brand. The exhibition focuses primarily on the finishing sector, organized into two main clusters: Marble and Natural Stone, and Windows, Doors, and Building Envelopes.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) has arranged an Italian Pavilion covering more than 500 square meters, divided into two strategic sections: Windows, Doors and Facades, and Marble and Stone. The pavilion hosts 41 Italian companies, highlighting the country’s expertise in building envelopes, solar shading systems, advanced stone-processing machinery, natural stone, and high-value design applications. The participation is coordinated with key industry associations, including ACMI, ANFIT, ASSITES, P.I.L.E, and Confindustria Marmomacchine.
Both Italian sections feature an OpportunItaly information point, a business acceleration program promoted by ITA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The initiative connects Italian firms with select Saudi and regional buyers, aiming to strengthen commercial relationships and open new market opportunities.
Big 5 Construct Saudi serves as a key hub for contractors, investors, developers, and suppliers involved in construction materials, technologies, and infrastructure projects. Saudi Arabia’s population of around 36 million, with a strong proportion of young residents, and an annual growth rate of 2–3%, supports rising demand for construction solutions.
The Kingdom remains a leading producer and consumer of construction materials in the Middle East. Growth in 2024 was estimated at 4.6% in real terms, driven by investments in housing, energy, and major infrastructure. Landmark Vision 2030 projects, including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and ROSHN, have accelerated the infrastructure pipeline. Contracts for Giga-projects reached approximately $196 billion in 2025, reflecting a dynamic market for building materials, engineering services, and project management expertise.
To boost Italian visibility, the ITA Office in Riyadh implemented a targeted communication strategy, facilitating B2B meetings and distributing specialized catalogs showcasing Italian excellence. The Italian Pavilion received an official visit from the Ambassador of Italy to Riyadh, H.E. Carlo Baldocci, and ITA Riyadh Director Romano Baruzzi, who praised the quality of Italian participation and reaffirmed institutional support for Italian firms in Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition continues through January 21, offering Italian, Saudi, and international stakeholders opportunities to network, explore partnerships, and advance projects across the Kingdom’s growing construction sector.
