Browse
related articles
SteelFab is organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
"The hosting of the event at a time when global oil prices are sky-rocketing and the regional construction is experiencing a major boom, assumes special significance," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah, in a press statement.
"The Oil & Gas sector is the largest revenue earning sector in the Middle East with spending on infrastructure, refurbishment and new investments requiring an estimated USD $ 500 billion. The Oil & Gas sector consumes huge tonnage of steel in the fabrication of rigs, tanks, pipelines, pressure vessels, and platforms,"
Mr. Khan added.
Mr. Khan further said that besides oil and gas, the growth of another sector in the region that was providing significant boost to the steel working industry was construction.
Within the UAE, several major projects are currently on including Dubailand, Burj Dubai, Palm Island Projects, Dubai Mall, Dubai International Financial City, Dubai Healthcare City and Al Nujoom Islands Project in Sharjah. Spending on development projects is estimated at USD $ 100 billion over the next ten years. In 2001, UAE imported steel worth USD $ 883 million. In 2005, the figure is estimated to rise to USD $ 1500 million. As far as import of machine tools are concerned, it is estimated that in 2005 the GCC would import USD $ 943.45 million worth of Special Industrialized Machines, Machine Tools with Removal of Materials, Machine Tools without Material Removal, Metal Machine Tools - Parts, and Metal Working Machinery. UAE's share of this is expected to be over USD 500 million.
Besides the GCC states, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon in the Middle East are estimated to be importing USD $ 1,736.90 million worth of machine tools during this period.
Other sectors that are major contributors in the growth of the Middle East Steel Working Industry are Power & Water, Marine/Shipbuilding, Warehousing (Steel Buildings), Pipelines Manufacturing and Railways.
"The Middle East Steel Working industry is set for exponential growth. Besides several other contributing factors, what makes UAE the regional hub for the industry is its high consumption, redistribution and re-export trade," said Mr. Khan.
" SteelFab 2006 is the perfect market entry vehicle for companies keen to penetrate this booming industry in the Middle East," he added.
SteelFab 2006 will feature machinery from Austria, Belgium, China, Finland, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan ROC, Turkey, UK and USA
It will also showcase welding and cutting displays from Austria, China, Czech republic, France , Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, UK & USA
The Indian pavilion hosted by Engineering Export Promotion Council will be a major attraction at the event.
Given the focused profile of the show, a large number of trade visitors especially fabrication yard managers, production managers, procurement managers, estimators, planning and design engineers from Middle East and North Africa are expected to visit the event.
The first edition of SteelFab which was held in 2004 had attracted a substantial visitor turnout from the GCC states as well as India, Iran, Pakistan, UK, France, Egypt, Malaysia, and Germany. SteelFab 2006 will witness an even sharper rise in the number of visitors especially from GCC, Iraq, Iran, the Indian sub-continent and the CIS countries.
A major attraction for those engaged in the Steel Working Industry will be the product presentations and technical seminars to be held on the sidelines of the event.
Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
