Hope glimmers as Gulf region looks towards positive growth in 2011

The Gulf region’ s most comprehensive exhibition for the metalworking, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry opened its doors on the 17th of January 2011. Held at the Sharjah Expo Centre in the emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the show provided a diverse range of machinery and equipment in metal forming, welding and cutting, surface preparation and finishing, grinding and cutting, machining and other allied engineering disciplines.

Covering 16,000 square-metres of exhibition space, the event has come a long way since its inaugural display in 2004. In its seventh year, the exhibition was commenced by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman, Directorate of Public Works, Sharjah.

The show held from January 17th to January 20th featured 206 direct exhibitors against 183 in 2010, marking an increase of almost 13 percent. While more than 600 brands were displayed, the visitor figures saw an increase of 20 percent compared to last year.

The opening ceremony of the show was graced by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, officials and industry representatives. On the occasion, many industry experts commented on the resilience of the steel and construction industry, given the fact that the global steel market picked considerable pace in the last two months.

"Most of the exhibitors considered Saudi Arabia as the key market holding maximum potential for the booming steel industry."

“SteelFab has secured the support of a number of international industrial bodies, thus facilitating the participation of leading international firms known for their technical excellence and know-how in the show. Of more than 600 brands being exhibited at the show, these firms have a big presence,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

The construction of a nuclear power plant in Braqa, Abu Dhabi, has led the recovery in the infrastructure and construction industry. About $30 billion worth of infrastructure projects are scheduled to begin this year, offering immense potential for the metalworking, steel fabrication and metal manufacturing industry. The nuclear power plant, slated for completion by 2020, will help cater to the nation’s holistic power requirements. Additionally, Abu Dhabi is known as a reservoir of the largest hydrocarbon resources in the country, holding 95 percent of oil and 92 percent of natural gas, equaling nine percent of the world’s proven oil reserves.

“Demand for steel has increased s t rongly on the back of steadying construction activity, rising investment in the infrastructure sector and economic growth. These factors have also made the UAE one of the most attractive destinations for international players in the steel fabrication sector,” said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

With 2010 earmarked as the year of recovery from the global financial crunch, many are expectant of a revival in market orders and steel demand in 2011. Despite promising prospects for UAE’s growth, most of the exhibitors considered Saudi Arabia as the key market holding maximum potential for the booming steel industry. Qatar holds immense potential in light of its winning bid of hosting the 2020 World Cup but industry experts feel that it may take a year or so for the actual work to begin.
Renowned for showcasing the Middle East’s largest display of machinery, machine tools, welding equipment, supplies, consumables and ancillary equipment used in the pre and post-treatment of steel, SteelFab 2011 also witnessed the launch of latest, state-of-the-art technologies and machinery. Nuova CMM introduced the beam welding machine to the MMujer