Third edition of SteelFab attracts 5,797 visitors from 56 countries

Of the total visitors, 69.1% were from the GCC States. Amongst the GCC states, the UAE accounted for 87.49%, Saudi Arabia 6.09%, Oman 2.12%, Qatar 1.82%, Kuwait 1.69%, and Bahrain 0.77% of the visitors.

The SteelFab exhibition this year witnessed a 73.87 % jump in visitor turnout from the GCC States, compared to the previous edition. However, like in the 2006 edition, the event continued to attract the maximum number of visitors in the region from the UAE followed by Saudi Arabia. This year's SteelFab exhibition also saw a substantial rise in visitor turnout from the countries of Oman and Qatar.

Besides GCC States, SteelFab 2007 attracted a large number of visitors from other countries as well, especially Middle Eastern and African countries, CIS countries, and countries from the Indian sub-continent. Approximately 3.31% of the visitors at the show were from the Middle East and Africa region outside the GCC states. Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, and Yemen, are some of the countries from which visitors had an imposing presence at the show. The high visitation from the entire Middle East and North Africa region stresses the fact that SteelFab is a truly regional event and is seen by the fabrication industry in these parts as a very important show.

However, the inflow of visitors was not restricted to these countries alone.

A large contingent of industry professionals from Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, UK, and USA, also visited the event.

Compared to 3,340 visitors from 44 countries in 2006, the 2007 edition of SteelFab attracted 5,797 visitors from 56 countries, translating in to an increase of 73.5% in terms of visitor turnout.

At the end of the third edition of SteelFab, almost all the exhibitors said that they were highly impressed with the visitor turnout and its quality. A majority of them reported receiving confirmed and secure orders during the show while others said that they had received serious queries, many of which had strong possibilities of translating in to deals at a later stage.

Almost all the machines shipped in for the show were reported sold. Queries for the next edition of SteelFab in 2008 have already started pouring in with over 90% of this year's exhibitors expected to participate again in the 2008 edition.

SteelFab is the Middle East's largest display of Steel, Fasteners, Accessories, Surface Preparation, Machinery and Tools, Welding and Cutting, Finishing and Testing equipment, and Coatings and Anti-Corrosion material.

The 2007 edition of the exhibition featured over 280 brands and companies from 34 countries. A major attraction of the event was the two-day Gulf Iron and Steel Conference on the sidelines on Jan 29 and 30.

Organised by Steelworld, a leading trade magazine in the Asian Iron & Steel sector, the Conference focused on a range of industry and region specific issues including opportunities and threats facing the industry, technology - enabler for cost competitiveness and growth, challenges ahead in steel Fabrication, prominent projects - problems and prospects, and steel trading - emerging markets and emerging applications. The Conference attracted 128 delegates.

The 2008 edition of SteelFab is expected to occupy three halls of Expo Centre Sharjah. The growth, in terms of number of exhibitors and occupied exhibition space, is expected to be around 30-35%.

SteelFab 2008 will feature a dedicated hall for Sheet Metal Technology and will display equipment & machinery for AC duct manufacturing, Kitchen Manufacturing, Cabinet Manufacturing & other similar sheet metal product manufacturing in the Middle East region.

SteelFab 2008 will Colocate with SteelTech exhibition - a trade fair for the growing steel production industry in the Middle East. SteelTech will feature the complete range of technology, equipment & products required in the Steel production sector.

SteelFab is an initiative of Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the SCCI.