The nineteenth edition of the SteelFab is returning to Expo Centre Sharjah from 8-11 January next year
Citing the UAE's "strong economic performance" of its construction industry, the organisers say that this will set the tone for the upcoming trade event for the metal-working, metal-manufacturing and steel fabrication industry.
For this season, SteelFab will host leading global manufacturers and dealers through special segments such as welding and cutting, metal cutting, machine tools, metal forming, steel machinery, pipe construction equipment and surface preparation and finishing.
It will also feature the Best-Welder @SteelFab competition, apart from the largest live display of latest welding and cutting machinery & equipment, a hosted buyers programme, online B2B matchmaking platform and the 8th Fasteners World Middle East.
“SteelFab has played a significant role in the remarkable progress achieved by the UAE’s industrial sector as well as in adoption of advanced technology and promotion of innovation in the industry. The show has provided a shot in the arm for the country's industrial initiatives, resulting in higher industrial exports and a rise in the sector's contribution to the national economy,” said Saif Mohamed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology figures, the UAE has managed to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to national gross domestic product to US$50bn, a 38% increase from 2020. Besides, multiple foreign consultancies and financial agencies, including the International Monetary Fund, has projected the UAE to emerge as the best performing economy in the GCC in 2024, which augurs well for the industry.
“The UAE is accelerating the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in the industrial sector under the UAE Industry 4.0 programme, which has generated huge interest among manufacturers and distributors in SteelFab to tap the rise in demand for latest technologies and sustainable solutions. The construction industry, which is the main demand driver for the fabrication sector, is set to grow on the back of high oil prices and the country's development push, keeping the orders books busy for the metal working industry,” said Sultan Shattaf, director, Sales and Marketing, Expo Centre Sharjah.
The previous edition held in January this year, saw 200 exhibitors from 33 countries displaying 400 brands and attracting 6,000 trade visitors from 65 countries.