30 January 2017
New Year set to ring in better times for fabricators

Sharjah - With project spending projected to see about 20% rise in the GCC, the metal working industry is set to leave behind the challenging times it experienced in the middle of 2016 and is looking at a better year for 2017 and beyond.

In this scenario, SteelFab 2017 once again proved itself as the show of choice for regional metal working industry and was able to maintain the same visitor numbers of the previous edition.

The 13th SteelFab 2017, which was held at Expo Centre Sharjah from January 16 to 19, featured more than 317 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries and attracted 7,950 visitors from 70 countries during its four-day run. A total of 6,950 people came from the GCC, accounting for 87% of the attendees. Of this about 1631 came from the surrounding GCC countries with a further 316 from other Middle East countries. Visitation from North Africa and Central Asia were also comparatively stable.


“SteelFab managed to do well despite the challenging conditions. Though the footfalls remained constant, the exhibitors reported better ‘buying intentions’ by trade visitors. They were able to secure good enquiries with several of the machines displayed being sold well before the show wound up,” said H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

Offering a comprehensive sourcing point for the regional metal working industry, the show hosted 206 foreign exhibitors and 111 local companies, who displayed more than 1000 international brands at 26,000 square metres of exhibition space.

With a series of special segments such as Stainless Steel, Wear Resistant & Hard Facing Cladding, Welding & Cutting, Machine Tools and Pipe & Tube Machinery, SteelFab 2017 became an exclusive gathering point where fabricators could shop for innovative tools and machinery from leading global brands and manufacturers.

For the second consecutive time, the Fasteners World Middle East, which was held concurrently, covered the complete range of industrial fasteners and fixings, assembly and installation systems, fastener manufacturing technology as well as storage and logistics services.

“The Middle East market is showing signs of a pick-up with the last two months of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 clearly reflecting this sentiment. Exhibitors and the industry in general are optimistic of improving oil prices and more work from the World Expo 2020 projects,” said H.E. Midfa.

According to the latest research by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the UAE is expected to lead economic growth in the GCC this year amid higher spending spurred by recovering oil prices, while another report forecast that Saudi Arabia and the UAE will have the lion’s share of projects spending between US$112 billion and US$151 billion in 2017, as against US$109 billion in 2016.

The immediate rise in orders for regional steel fabricators are likely to materialise through recently launched projects like the multi-billion dollar Dubai Harbour project, and the US$15.6 billion infrastructure spending by Kuwait, among others. Dubai Harbour, a four-year, 20 million sq ft project will create the Middle East and North Africa’s largest marina as well as a giant lighthouse.

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About the show:
SteelFab is organised and hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry from January 16 to 19, 2017. It showcased machinery and equipment in metal forming, surface preparation & finishing, grinding & cutting, machining & other allied engineering disciplines. It also featured Italian, German and Taiwan pavilions, and enjoyed support from leading industry associations from Italy, Germany, Taiwan and the UK.

© Press Release 2017