Sustainability in focus at Big Show

Muscat: The second day of the Big Show discussed policies and codes that are required to encourage sustainable building in the country.
The sustainability forum highlighted challenges faced by investors and consultants in implementing a sustainable design and concluded with experts urging government officials to bring in policies for green and sustainable building in the country.
“We need government regulations to build look at sustainable construction seriously. It should make business sense with codes underlined by the government to follow,” Madhu G.N. associate vice president of strategy at Al Siraj Holdings said.
According to another delegate at the conference, the government has to ratify a green building law that is being discussed by the ministries for a long time or the sector may struggle.
“We are waiting for green building regulation and we expect some incentives by the government for following this procedure voluntarily. Even if some mandatory law comes up, we will welcome it as it will help the environment and society,” he said.
Speakers at the forum focused on the Paris agreement signed by Oman which focuses on bring the average temperatures around the globe to less than 2 degree Celsius.
The event was inaugurated by Mohsen bin Mohammed Al Shaikh, Chairman, Muscat Municipality and has nearly 144 exhibitors from 15 countries who are showcasing their products to the audience in Oman.
According to Marco Occhipinti, country manager of Pinti Paints, which produces heat reflective paints, said that this was a great opportunity to showcase his innovative products to audience in the country.
“We would like people in Oman to see the product which we have brought for them after years of research and innovation. We want to help Oman develop into a more sustainable country through energy savings that is provided by our paints. Our paints can reflect up to 20 per cent of the heat when compared to conventional paints used in Oman,” he said during a practical demonstration of the Pinti super cool paint at the Big Show.
The Big Show runs until March 16, 2017 and is open to visitors looking for interior decoration and home building materials. Several innovative materials including doors and windows among others are showcased in the exhibition.