Experience "Future of Construction" - International Construction Fair BAU at Munich Trade Fair from January 17 to 22, 2011

Although a growing number of construction companies from Serbia operate abroad and cooperate with foreign companies, only one company from our country will represent itself at the Munich Construction Fair - BAU, which will take place from January 17 to 22, 2011, in Germany. About 2,000 exhibitors from 40 countries participated in the last year's expo.

In 2009, there were over 200,000 visitors from 151 countries. According to the data provided by the Delegation of Business Economy to Serbia, about hundred people from Serbia visited the expo last year.

The Delegation of Business Economy to Serbia, which is the official agent of the Munich Trade Fair, today presented numerous possibilities for the visit and promotion of Serbian companies at that famous international construction fair.

The main reason for the visit to BAU, which is held every second year, is the presence of the world's leading companies and products, as well as all important vocations, products and materials from the field of construction at one place. This manifestation is the world's biggest fair for architects and engineers. It is the occasion for an exhibition of manufacturers' innovations, organization of forums and special exhibitions.

- The problem is that the awareness of the significance of the appearance at that expo has not been sufficiently developed in Serbia yet. The appearance at such events ia always a good investment. We will try to organize a delegation of the largest construction companies from Serbia for the 2011 BAU. As the visitors of the Munich Trade Fair, they will have the chance to see all the advantages of exhibiting at this event and, hopefully, decide to appear as exhibitors already at the 2013 BAU – Michael Schmidt, the Director of the Delegation of Business Economy to Serbia and Montenegro, told eKapija.

On the surface area of 180,000 square meters, BAU presents the architecture, materials and systems for commercial construction, residential development and interiors in the domains of both new and old construction.

- The share of foreign exhibitors amounts to about 25%. The largest number of exhibitors and visitors traditionally come from Austria, Italy and Switzerland. A good news is that we register a growing number of visitors from the countries of central and east Europe - says Mareile Kastner, the Deputy Director of the 2011 BAU.

She says that the largest number of visitors come from the countries like Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey, even more than from France or Spain.

The proof of the globalization of the construction business, as well as BAU expo, can also be seen in the number of visitors from non-European countries. Nearly 5,000 visitors in 2009 were not from Europe. About 3,330 expert visitors came from Asia, mainly from Iran and China.

- Our main topics, which we determine for each BAU, provide the guidelines for the future of the construction. When it comes to the structure of the expo and its framework programme, they serve as an additional element of the organization. The main topics of this year's event are: sustainable construction, construction fit for generations, research and innovation, education and specialist education. The main topics of BAU expo are presented at special exhibitions. In that way, the materials, techniques and systems can be, practically, experienced - Kastner explains.

A new attraction at BAU is "Long Night of Architecture", which will take place on Friday, January 21. With the night trip to the Munich world of architecture, the visitors of BAU will be able to make that day complete. The offer is not intended exclusively for the visitors of the fair, but also for all interested citizens of Munich and the region.