Last year, over 58,000 construction related companies registered with the UAE’s Ministry of Labour. Employment was up by 10%, with the largest employer being the construction industry, representing 34% of the local workforce. Foreign companies from around the globe are also vying for attention from local clients.

As competition intensifies, consultants and clients will need better ways to find and engage the right contractors and suppliers. Trying to cold call or arrange meetings, or constant printing of company profiles which end up filed away in the client’s office will become less and less effective.

How do MENA clients find contractors?

Have you noticed how the majority of construction directories in the region have information about your potential clients but you have to pay a very high subscription fee to access that information? Maybe you’ve tried to Google your own company name and discovered that you are featured on one of those free online directories that are covered with ads that lowers your brand value?

There is a better way to do business.

Stop sending company profiles!

A general contractor can be working on projects from $2mln to $100mln+ in value. No matter the size of project, the contractor will need to select from thousands of bidding companies to eventually hire several subcontractors and even suppliers. Whilst the majority of time, price is a large deciding factor, there are other variables that may decide if you are successful in winning future bids.

Technology means that contractors are able to compare incoming bids quicker and more efficiently than before. When faced with the question, why should you be paid more than your competitors, you need to be able to point to something specific.

Figures released by the Dubai Economic Department for Q1 2015 Dubai real estate transactions:

ProTenders: 2015 Global Construction Survey Report Released

Research shows new technology an important factor for the construction industry to remain competitive

Dubai, U.A.E – 20^th April 2015- ProTenders.com, the secure, paper-free online bidding platform for the construction industry, today released their 2015 annual global construction survey.

The report provides insights into the construction sectors pain points, including ways in which firms explores new business, enters a tendering and bidding process and identifies the right construction partner. More than 500 regional and international construction businesses were surveyed.

According to Karim Helal, Co-Founder and CEO of ProTenders.com, “The 2015 Global Construction survey highlights the critical role technology plays in the growth and stability of businesses operating in today’s competitive marketplace. The Middle East construction industry is growing at a fast pace and the adoption of new technology stands out as an important factor for businesses to remain competitive.’’