The event is open from 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and entry is free

A three-day exhibition of construction and interior materials, CAI Expo 2017, began here on Friday.

The exhibition at Codissia Trade Fair Complex, is executed by iads & events in association with The Hindu Business Line, has participants from different parts of the country.

Lighting and roofing solutions, staircase railings, modular kitchen, construction equipment, PVC pipes, furniture, artificial plants, paints, tiles and art works for interiors are some of the products on display.

The business-to-business event is open from 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and entry is free.

Inaugurating the fair, Vanitha Mohan, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, said not only the new constructions but also the existing house owners will need construction materials for maintenance works.

In the case of interior items, consumers prefer to have new products at least once in two years. Those who buy apartments too want invest in interior products.

Rajesh B. Lund, president of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India-Coimbatore, said the market for interior or construction products is high, especially from independent house owners.

For instance, the demand for furniture is on the increase and modular kitchen are now available from ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 1 crore.

In the case of apartments, the developers go in for specific type of paints, and hardware.

But, owners of independent houses look for varieties in tiles or roofing solutions.

The title sponsor for CAI Expo 2017 is Doosan Bobcat and the event is powered by K-Lite.

The co-sponsors are: Nippon Paint, Gem Paints, PRIME, Classic Kitchen, Kamai Elevators.

The supporting partners are: CREDAI, Coimbatore, All India Bricks and Tiles Manufacturers Federation, Indian Institute of Structural Engineers, Ready Mixed Concrete Manufacturers Association, and Indian Society of Lighting Engineers.

This year, the exhibition is held in four cities: Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Goa.