German wire and tube manufacturers eye Middle East's booming construction sector

A projected higher demand in 2004 and beyond has prompted Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of the specialist twin fairs dedicated to the manufacture of solid and hollow metal products, to intensify its efforts to attract exhibitors and trade visitors from the region. The two shows, Wire 2004 and Tube 2004, are scheduled to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany from March 29 to April 2, 2004.

Addressing a press conference today at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai, Friedrich-Georg Kehrer, Project Director of Wire 2004 and Tube 2004, Messe Dusseldorf, announced that that Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) had confirmed its participation in the world's global trade fairs for the wire, cable and tube industries.

"We regard the participation of JAJZA as a major development in the awareness of these twin trade fairs and we hope to build on this by promoting these events among all relevant sectors, as German imports in this field are still on the lower side. We feel there is tremendous scope for German wire, cable and tube products to bolster the growing construction industry in the Middle East," said Kehrer.

According to data provided by the Germany based Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahlrohre (Economic Association of Steel Tubes), the market supply of steel tubes in the UAE increased from 228,000 tons in 2002 to 307,000 tons in 2003. With just over 32,000 tons of tube imports originating from Germany, manufacturers and suppliers are seeking to augment the share through the introduction of cutting-edge technologies to the market.

"The reconstruction of infrastructure in Iraq, the construction boom in the UAE and the growing energy demands of the entire Middle East region, demand high quality, technologically advanced wires, cables and tubes," said "Wire and Tube trade fairs organised by Messe Düsseldorf have traditionally been the launch pads for several technological innovations in the construction industry. In 2004, the events will once again provide trade visitors to examine first-hand the potential of the new technologies launched. We want the Middle East region to benefit from these trade fairs by getting exposed to the latest and innovative technology in the field."

"Dubai's importance as the trade hub of the Middle East region makes the emirate a very important trading partner for the German as well as the global manufactures who are seeking news markets, including the promising Iraqi market. JAFZA's presence at Wire 2004 and Tube 2004 will open further trade opportunities between the UAE and Germany," added Kehrer. "On the other hand, the small, but rapidly growing industrial sector in the UAE will also benefit from participation in the two events, as they will provide direct access to an extremely large international potential client mass, concentrated in one place.

In addition to Japan, the UK and the USA, the Federal Republic of Germany is one of the most important trade partners of the UAE. According to information supplied by the German Foreign Office, in 2003, exports from Germany to the UAE increased by 7 per cent, to touch a high of € 3.07 billion. The largest share of German exports to the country is taken up by the automobiles, machinery and electro-technical products. With the integral importance of wires, cables and tubes to all three export segments, the importance of trade events devoted to these products brings major significance for both the German manufacturers and the Middle Eastern traders and clients alike.

"Today, JAFZA hosts more than 2700 national and multinational companies including involved in many activities such as; manufacturing, processing, assembling, distribution and logistics and services, tubes and wires. There are 21 companies based in Jebel Ali working in the field of wire and 20 other companies in tube including trading in power transmission tyres and tubes, trading in rubber tyres and tubes, manufacturing steel wire ropes among others," said Adel Al Awadi, Marketing Manager, JAFZA. "Our participation in Wire and Tube 2004 is an opportunity for wire and tube companies based in JAFZA to meet international companies working in the same field as well as an opportunity for JAFZA to highlight its facilities and services offered for companies willing to set their business in the free zone."

"The fact that the Messe Düsseldorf exhibitions are of considerable value to the UAE is apparent from the growing number of UAE-based companies who exhibit in Düsseldorf. In doing so, these companies use the exhibitions as a gateway to the European and international markets and the important mass of buyers and suppliers that they draw," said Bassel Amaneddine, UAE representative, Messe Düsseldorf. "We feel that in order to increase international awareness of the young and developing industrial sector in the UAE, it is imperative to strengthen and increase the country's participation at these events."

According to information supplied by the German Foreign office, at present import of products from the UAE to Germany is around € 0.2 billion, indicating a huge trade imbalance in favour of Germany that exists between the two countries in the trade and industrial sector. At 34.6 per cent, textiles take up the largest share of goods imported from the UAE.

The two trade fairs of Wire 2004 and Tube 2004 will be held simultaneously in Düsseldorf, Germany, from March 29 to April 2, 2004.