Welding & cutting equipment demand on the rise

The growth demand for welding and cutting equipment in the UAE and the rest of Arabia is driven by the fastexpanding industrial sector, which has made this segment an essential component of the regional steel fabrication, metalworking and  metal manufacturing industry. According to latest figures, the industrial sector in the UAE grew by 11% in 2011. From US$35 billion in 2010, the manufacturing sector's contribution to the UAE's overall GDP swelled to an all-time high of US$39 billion in 2011.

In Qatar, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the industrial sector  is expect to post 18% yearly growth between 2011 and 2012, with more than US$125 billion expected to be spent on projects between 2011 and 2016.

Manufacturing sector was Saudi Arabia's fastest growing industry in the first half of 2011, rising by 22.5%, driven by a 38% increase in petroleum refining;
non-refining manufacturing expanded by 14.8%.

"Every country has its own industrial characteristics. In Arabia, the welding and cutting segment essentially involves not just welding shops but fabrication yards and engineering workshops, fuelling demand for not just welding machines but a diverse and complete range of equipment and a substantial variety of brands," said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director- General of Expo Centre Sharjah.