Expo Centre Sharjah is all set to host the 11th SteelFab Exhibition, the region’s premier metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication trade fair, from January 26th to 29th next year.
The manufacturing and industrial sector of the region is driving up demand for welding and cutting equipment in the UAE and the rest of Arabia.
According to Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting, the contribution of the industrial sector in GCC countries’ GDP ranged between 9.5 percent and 10.5 percent from 2001 to 2012, except for 2008 when it reduced to 8.5 percent because of the global financial crisis.
The welding sector will thus be an essential component of the regional steel fabrication, metal working and metal manufacturing industry, highlighting the importance of the premier regional trade fair, SteelFab.
“SteelFab has been an important event for the region’s steel fabrication and metal working industry for the past decade. Now, with the introduction of a special segment for welding and cutting a couple of years ago, SteelFab has become a reliable sourcing platform for not just welding machines but a complete range of welding and cutting equipment and devices,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.
“In Arabia, it is important to note that the regional industry consists of fabrication yards and engineering workshops and not ‘welding shops’ hence a complete show like SteelFab is the precise answer to the complete procurement needs of regional industry,” added Mr. Midfa.
While the number of welding and cutting brands and exhibitors in the 2008 edition of SteelFab stood at 143, for the last edition in 2014, the number grew impressively to 294.
“This underscores the significance of the platform for welding and cutting equipment manufacturers to reach out to the Middle East and surrounding markets. SteelFab has also been a market-entry vehicle for numerous welding brands,” said Naveen Fernandes, Group Exhibition Manager, Expo Centre Sharjah.
The SteelFab 2015 exhibition timings are 10 am to 7 pm daily with free admission which is strictly restricted to Trade and Professional visitors only.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
