Dubai, UAE: A resurgent construction sector along with substantial manufacturing and industrial investments has put the Middle East lighting fixtures market on a double-digit growth curve, with revenues set to be worth US$8.7 billion by 2024, according to new research.
Valued at US$4.4 billion in 2017, regional lighting fixtures revenues are expected to grow at compound annual growth rate of 10.3 per cent up to 2024, as the market rebounds after several years of stalled growth due to delayed projects and tightening expenditures.
A July 2018 report by analysts 6Wresearch said rising penetration of the energy efficient LED in countries such as the UAE has provided added impetus, while the market will surge ahead with the recovery of oil prices, stabilisation of consumer purchasing power, and expansion of the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors.
Saudi Arabia held the lion’s share of the Middle East lighting fixtures market in 2017, with a 30 percent stake (US$1.32 billion) according to the report, while the UAE captured a 13 percent share (US$572 million).
Industrial and commercial lighting accounted for a combined 70 percent of the market last year, with high demand witnessed by office space, shopping malls, showrooms and retail outlets, along with education and healthcare sectors. Outdoor lighting meanwhile comprised 20 percent of the market.
6Wresearch’s report was released ahead of the Light Middle East trade fair, which takes place from 23-25 September 2018 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The annual three-day event is the region’s premier exhibition, conference, and awards for the lighting design and technology industries, and will in its 13th edition feature more than 340 exhibitors from 25 countries.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Light Middle East’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Large scale construction activity and considerable investment by regional governments into industrial and commercial infrastructure, is expected to sustain long term demand for the latest in lighting technology and innovations.
“As the premier trade and networking event serving the international lighting design community, Light Middle East showcases the latest in lighting design and technology and serves as a key conduit for the flow of information about the benefits of the latest technological innovations that are driving change in the industry.”
Light Middle East 2018 will feature country pavilions from Spain, Türkiye, France, UK, and Italy, while a German-government supported pavilion will also make its appearance for the first time. New to the show floor in 2018 are sections on Light & Design, dedicated to decorative lighting targeting interior designers, and Smart & Connected Lighting, where the spotlight will shine on home and building automation.
A vibrant mix of returning lighting manufacturers will appear alongside debut exhibitors, with big names such as Decolight, Emirates Lighting Factory, Faro Barcelona, GVA Lighting, Linea Light, Luceco, Martin Professional, Pan, PUK, Sylvania, Venuetech, Vice Lighting, Zoomlux, and 3S International all coming back.
Debut exhibitors are headed by UAE companies ATL Electricals, Plus Light Tech, and Ledvance Middle East. Other debut exhibitors such Italy’s Electron, Threeline from Spain, Legero from India, and Austria’s Aspoeck systems underline the global appeal of the dedicated showpiece event.
Spain’s Faro Barcelona will land at Light Middle East 2018 to launch its latest portfolio of ceiling fans along with indoor and outdoor lighting solutions. CEO Xavier Martin Conillas highlighted the company’s smart lighting credentials, in particular with its NIKO bedside LED lamp that doubles up as a wireless mobile phone charger.
“We’re launching several new designs at Light Middle East 2018 for indoor and outdoor lighting. In the smart lighting and human centric lighting concept, stand outs are the NIKO and MUTE, “said Conillas.
“The NIKO comes with a platform wireless charger for mobile phones, while the MUTE ceiling lamp acts as a sound absorber, creating a more ambient atmosphere. These, along with our more than 20 new products in 2018 are ideal for private spaces, hotels or restaurants.”
Meanwhile, Ragni is another European exhibitor launching new products at Light Middle East 2018. A specialist in street lighting, the French manufacturer was established in 1927, and has been distributing its products in the UAE for the past 25 years.
“We recently received approval from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for our newly launched bollard range, which are now installed in Al Awir,” said François Jarrossay, Co-founder of Lumen at Work, Ragni’s Middle East distributor.
“Ragni hasn’t exhibited at Light Middle East for the past 10 years, but since Lumen at Work took over the brand’s regional distribution two years ago, Ragni became really active again and we want to show to all our clients and partners our whole range.
“At Light Middle East 2018 we’ll introduce a brand new innovation: the very first Smart Street Lighting bollards that are completely solar, and that come with a Wifi router, environmental reading sensors, and remote dimming controls.
“The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the Dubai Municipality have already purchased this product, to be installed in July in Hatta and October in the new Dubai Solar Park,” added Jarrossay.
Light Middle East returns in 2018 with all its highly popular highlights including THINKLIGHT – a three day conference focusing on the key areas of lighting, namely architecture, interior, and landscape design.
The Light Middle East Awards will again bring the curtains down on the annual showpiece event, where more than 700 industry professionals will celebrate outstanding regional and global lighting projects during a gala dinner ceremony at Dubai’s Westin Hotel.
Other returning features include Light.ication, the Middle East’s only competition nurturing the next generation of regional lighting designers, architects, and engineers; and Ready Steady Light Middle East, a live competition during the show where teams are given 90 minutes to design and install a lighting scheme with a range of provided equipment.