The biggest proportion of sanitation articles is imported

The building industry is one of the booming branches of industry in the United Arab Emirates. Over the next five years, the government plans to invest more than US $ 20 billion (€ 16 billion) in the construction of new infrastructure projects, offices and dwellings. According to Messe Frankfurt, the market for sanitation and installation products will be greatly influenced by these building projects. In particular, sales of bathroom accessories, installation products, such as taps, pumps, plastic and acrylic bathtubs, washbasins, toilet bowls and whirlpools will grow in the future. The biggest proportion of sanitation articles and installation products is imported. According to a poll by the U. S. Commercial Service published in June 2003, imports reached a total of US $ 255 million (€ 206 million) in 1999 whereby they are expected to increase by an average annual rate of 12 percent over the next three years. The bulk of imports come from Italy, Germany, Great Britain, the USA and, to a lesser extent, from China, France and Spain.