The 3rd Middle East Industrial Show inaugurated in Sharjah

The show is specifically focussed on five industrial categories; Fluid Control, Welding and Cutting, Test and Instrumentation, Factory Equipment, and Industrial Safety. It will be open until October 22nd, 2003.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, the Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Uwe Grundmann, Managing Director of ARC Germany, Mr. Armin Stader, Project Director of INTERKAMA, Mr. Steve Yang, Director General, Taiwan Trade Centre, Mr. Mubarak Balaswad, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, board members of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, directors of various government departments, members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations, heads of the participating exhibitors and delegation of international and regional businessmen.

Speaking on UAE's fast-expanding manufacturing sector, Mr. Mubarak Balaswad, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah said, 'Over the past 20 years, the UAE's economic diversification program has led to the development of an industrial base away from oil and gas. More than 25 billion dirhams have been invested in industrial development since the UAE became independent. In 2001, industry was ranked second only to oil production in terms of contribution to GDP, whereas in 1996 it ranked fourth after oil, government services, and trade.

'The rapidly developing manufacturing sector,' he continued, 'has made major gains in the profitable manufacture and export of aluminum ingots, fabricated metal products, textiles and ready-made garments, gold and jewellery, prepared foodstuffs, consumer electronics, refined petroleum, chemical and non-metallic mineral products.'

Mr. Michael Muller, Director Marketing & Sales of Expo Centre Sharjah pointed out that Sharjah, the industrial base of the UAE, is an ideal city to host the Middle East Industrial Show. 'Non-oil manufacturing is mainly concentrated in Sharjah,' he said. 'Sharjah houses 1052 industrial units, with a total capital investment of Dhs. 1610 million and a total yearly production valued at Dhs 7626 million, comprising over 42% of UAE's small and medium-sized companies. They cover nearly all branches of industry and meet a substantial portion of the local demand for industrial products.

'MEIS 2003 is an excellent opportunity for UAE's and the GCC's industrial units to incorporate the latest technological solutions for their manufacturing needs and thereby lower operating costs, increase productivity and stay competitive,' he concluded.

Speaking on the eve of the show, Mr. Armin Stader, Project Director of INTERKAMA said, 'We see the Middle East region as a promising and upcoming market for 'Test and Instrumentation,' which is a part of factory automation. It is pleasing to note that MEIS 2003 has a sub-section dedicated to 'Test and Instrumentation.' INTERKAMA is the world's leading trade show for automation. They are also one of the corporate sponsors for the ARC Advisory Group Seminar to be held during MEIS 2003.

At the same time, Mr. Uwe Grundmann, Managing Director of the ARC Advisory Group, Germany said that with the major world markets in difficult times, Asia and the Middle East is where industrial suppliers are slowly turning to. The ARC Advisory Group, which will be organising a Seminar on Real Time Management on 20th October during MEIS, is an industry analyst, carrying out in-depth studies for different markets.

MEIS features national participations under the banner of the China External Trade Development Corporation (CETRA) from Taiwan, IDRO International from Iran and participants from Australia, Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Poland, Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg, Dr. Döring, will have political appointments in order to discuss the opportunities of further cooperation between the UAE and the State of Baden-Württemberg for the benefit of both sides.

Also, a Real Time Management Seminar organised by the ARC Advisory Group will be held on 20th October. A significant number of representatives from manufacturing companies, Middle Eastern governments, and ARC Advisory Group will gather to share their insights and best practices for manufacturing excellence.

The ARC Forum is an internationally recognised executive event for manufacturers. It will be an ideal educational opportunity for industrialists in the Middle East, who want to move their organization to the next level of performance.

The Taiwan Trade Centre (CETRA), Taiwan's foremost trade promotion organization, is leading a delegation of 38 companies from Taiwan to exhibit at the international trade fair this year. These industry professionals from Taiwan will be displaying ( in Hall 2 at the Taiwan Pavilion), three major categories of products: Industrial products and accessories; Electrical and electronic products and parts, and Machinery.

IDRO International Trading Company, Iran, a well established and reputable company involved in international trade, has organised a large pavilion of companies from Iran at the show. The main objective of the company is promoting and exporting Iranian manufactured products, commodities and services to overseas markets.