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$1tr Projects to Spur Steel Industry

“Though some of the new projects have been affected by the economic slowdown, majority of the trillion-dollar projects that are already under construction continue to be on schedule,” says Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry at SteelFab 2009, Sharjah.

Al Midfa was speaking on Monday at the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of SteelFab 2009, the region’s premier trade show for the metal-working, metal-manufacturing and steel fabrication industry at Sharjah Expo Centre.

The show was opened by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports Authority and it will run until Thursday, January 22.

According to the organisers, the show has registered a huge growth from its previous show, the fifth addition of SteelFab 2009 is hosting nearly 250 exhibitors and more than 600 brands in a total exhibition area of 18,000 square metres, featuring 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 2009 has come at the right time for the steel fabrication industry. The industry, along with the construction sector, is seeking a new direction in the wake of the global financial crisis and its fallout on our region,” said Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

Al Midfa said: “The global crisis has its negative and positive effects. We should also look at the positive outcome of the impact. A downturn in their home markets has forced many foreign manufacturers to look at the Middle East to explore business opportunities here. If such companies have to gain a foothold here, they will have to be extremely competitive, apart from providing top-quality products. That means we stand to gain — we will have a better choice and the best pricing.”

The show is featuring for the first time latest high-tech equipment like automatic beam-welding lines, resistance welding machines and laser punching machine. A major highlight of the show will be a special display area for CNC metal-cutting machine tools.

In addition, machinery, equipment, products, services, and consumables related to surface preparation, blasting, galvanising, finishing and painting is also displayed.

According to estimates, the construction activities in the Gulf region are poised to continue in its present scale and size.

The huge hike in public spending (42 per cent) in the Dubai budget for 2009 has set the tone for this trend and Qatar has already announced that it is going to have a similar increase in its budget.

The show is featuring for the first time latest high-tech equipment like automatic beam-welding lines, resistance welding machines and laser punching machine.

A major highlight of the show will be a special display area for CNC metal-cutting machine tools. There’s live machinery display including shears, press brakes, punch presses, CNC profile cutting, bevelling, grinding, oxy-fuel cutting, water-jet cutting, plate drilling/cutting, beam drilling/sawing, blasting/painting, cut-to-length, slit-to length, welding displays and stud welding.

“Changing economic realities across the world due to low oil prices and the financial crunch have placed added focus on SteelFab. Industry representatives are looking at new strategies to tide over the present situation,” said Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah,

“The huge networking opportunities available at the show will help industry representatives adapt to new market realities and sustain their businesses in these challenging times,” Khan added.

Italian Firms

The Italian exhibitors are taking part in the show under the umbrella of UCIMU-Sistemi Per Produrre _ the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, automation systems and ancillary products.

SteelFab 2009 is also featuring a dedicated pavilion from Bavaria, Germany, in association with Bayern International. The Bayern International pavilion had nine companies occupying 192 square metres at SteelFab 2008.

A total of 35 firms are participating in the show, a 60 per cent rise in the number of exhibitors in comparison to the previous year’s figure of 25.

SteelFab 2009 is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

· aneela@khaleejtimes.com