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Used machines cut costs



THE POTENTIAL FOR used machinery in float glass industry is set to rise as the present economic conditions push companies planning expansion to cut costs, says Johan Coenen, General Manager of Glass Market Consultancy (GMC).

He said that the GCC's demand for glass, especially solar glass is set to increase during the next decade as more number of energy-efficient projects are being planned. The Belgium-based GMC says growing number of enquiries from the UAE and the neighbouring countries has made the company consider setting up an office in the region.

"I have been operating in the region for the past two years, wherein I flew in and out of the country. But now there is a need to have an office and technicians based here. We are looking at the possibility of starting the facility either in the Sharjah free zone or at Jebel Ali," said Coenen. The number of enquiries have actually increased in 2009, according to him. "In the past two months, we have been having about 600 to 900 international enquiries every month from across the world and about 200 odd from the region. This has pushed us to aggressively enter the market," he added.