Exclusive | Josine Heijmans: Building Egypt’s Future: How Big 5 Construct Egypt Is Driving Industry Growth and National Construction Ambitions

As Egypt’s construction sector continues to expand. Big 5 Construct Egypt remains a key platform for industry collaboration and innovation. In this exclusive interview, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, discusses the exhibition’s growing role in supporting national development and connecting global expertise with local opportunities.

Against this backdrop, Realty Catalogue spoke with Josine Heijmans about the exhibition’s impact, emerging opportunities and the future of Egypt’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

1. As today marks the last day of the show in Cairo, how has the momentum been on the exhibition floor and what, according to you, is unique to this year that continues to make the event an important convention for the industry?

The momentum on the exhibition floor has been very encouraging from the second doors opened. We’ve seen strong engagement across both Big 5 Construct Egypt and Egypt Infrastructure Expo, with contractors, developers, consultants, government representatives and suppliers actively exploring new products, technologies and partnership opportunities. The participation of industry leaders at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Dr Ahmed Fahmy Farag, General Manager of The Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD), General Major Engr Gamal Ramzy, Chief Technology Officer at ACUD and Dr Baher Elshaarawy, Chief Engineering and Technical Officer at El-Qalaa El-Hamraa, reflects the significance of the events for high-level industry dialogue and collaboration.

The event, held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Moustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt and supported by the Ministry of Housing, Utilities & Urban Communities, continues to play an important role in supporting Egypt’s construction and infrastructure sectors by connecting industry professionals with the products, expertise and discussions influencing future projects. Big 5 Construct Egypt offers a comprehensive trade space for sourcing solutions, exchanging knowledge and building industry relationships.

2. With Egypt holding one of the largest construction project pipelines in the MENA region, what opportunities are emerging for contractors, developers, consultants and suppliers in the market today?

Egypt’s project pipeline is among the most active in the region and continues to create opportunities across the entire value chain. Beyond the scale of investment, we are seeing demand for specialized expertise, advanced building materials, digital technologies and solutions that can improve project efficiency and delivery. For contractors and developers, there are opportunities across residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects, while consultants and suppliers are increasingly being called upon to support more complex and technically demanding developments. As the market evolves, collaboration between local and international stakeholders will play an important role in successful project delivery.

3. As Big 5 Construct Egypt wraps up its 8^th edition, how has the event evolved alongside the country’s construction and infrastructure sectors and what makes this year’s edition particularly significant?

The event has grown alongside Egypt’s construction industry, reflecting both the scale of the market and the increasing diversity of stakeholders involved in project delivery. What began as an industry event focused primarily on construction products and solutions has evolved into a meeting point for the wider construction and infrastructure community. This year’s edition is particularly significant because it brings together more than 300 exhibitors from over 20 countries, alongside a comprehensive content programme that addresses many of the topics influencing the industry today. It demonstrates the growing importance of Egypt as a market for both local and international companies looking to contribute to the country’s development.

4. Beyond the exhibition floor, how does Big 5 Construct Egypt contribute to Egypt’s broader development ambitions, including infrastructure expansion, urban growth and sustainability objectives?

Big 5 Construct Egypt supports the country’s development ambitions by providing access to the products, technologies and expertise required to deliver large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. As priorities such as sustainability, resource efficiency and modern construction methods become increasingly important, the event offers industry professionals an opportunity to explore the latest products and solutions and learn from local and international experts, supporting the adoption of best practices that contribute to the country’s long-term urban and infrastructure development goals.

5. Knowledge sharing and professional development remain key priorities for the industry. How does the Big 5 Talks programme help construction professionals stay ahead of evolving technologies, regulations and project delivery requirements?

The construction industry is constantly evolving, whether through new technologies, changing regulations or shifting project requirements. The CPD-certified Big 5 Talks programme is designed to provide professionals with practical insights that they can apply in their day-to-day work. This year’s sessions cover topics including project management, sustainability, BIM, architecture and design, HVAC solutions and emerging technologies, giving attendees direct access to industry experts and thought leaders. It is also an opportunity for professionals to engage in discussions around the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and gain perspectives that can help them stay competitive in a changing market.

6. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration across construction projects worldwide. What trends are you seeing in Egypt, and how are they reflected in this year’s event?

Several industry professionals and organizations are seeking to improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact and meet evolving market expectations. We are seeing growing interest in energy-efficient technologies, lower-carbon materials and solutions that support more sustainable construction practices. This year, one of the ways we are highlighting these developments is through EcoTrail, a dedicated feature that helps visitors identify exhibitors showcasing sustainable products, materials and technologies across the exhibition floor. It provides an easy way for attendees to discover solutions that can contribute to more environmentally responsible project delivery while supporting broader sustainability goals across the industry.

7. Following this year’s successful showcase, what can the industry expect from Big 5 Construct Egypt in 2027 and how do you envision the event creating even greater value for exhibitors, partners and visitors?

The success of this year’s edition reinforces the importance of having a niche industry event where the construction and infrastructure value chain can connect, learn and do business. As we look ahead to 2027, our focus will be on continuing to strengthen that value proposition for exhibitors, partners and visitors alike.

The industry is evolving rapidly, with increasing emphasis on sustainability, digitalization, project efficiency and new delivery models. We expect these themes to play an even greater role in future editions, both on the exhibition floor and within the content programmes. We also see significant potential to further enhance networking and business opportunities by bringing together an even broader mix of stakeholders from across the sectors. Whether it is connecting suppliers with buyers, facilitating dialogue between the public and private sectors or creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, our goal is to continue building a platform that supports the growth and development of Egypt’s construction industry.

As Egypt’s project pipeline continues to expand, we believe Big 5 Construct Egypt will remain an important meeting point for the industry, helping to connect people, ideas and solutions that contribute to the delivery of the country’s future projects.