Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006

Sharjah: The Middle East market for machine tools is substantial. In 2005, its total imports are estimated to have exceeded $3 billion (Dh11.01 billion).

Within the GCC, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the largest importers of machinery, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total.

During last year, the two countries together imported machine tools worth about $750 million.

SteelFab, the Middle East's largest exhibition of steel machinery, will further drive up the region's booming machine tools market.

The UAE is third most important re-export centre after Hong Kong and Singapore. In 2004, its total re-exports amounted to $27.65 billion.

The UAE's share was approximately $246 million. Special industrialised machines were major imports in the category, crossing $135 million.

For Saudi Arabia too, special industrialised machines were on top of the machine tools import list with $278.51 million worth of imports.

Other imports in the category included machine tools with removal of material, machine tools without material removal, metal machine tool parts and metal working machinery.

"Demand for machine tools in the UAE has been experiencing a significant increase mainly due to the booming construction sector, rapid industrialisation and a rise in downstream activities," said Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

"Coupled with these factors along with the thrust on re-exports and the fact that the UAE is an established regional procurement base, imports of machine tools will further rise in the coming period," he said.

"SteelFab is the ideal market entry vehicle for global manufacturers of machine tools eyeing the Middle East market," said Khan.

The three-day SteelFab, which will feature Steel, Fasteners, Accessories, Surface Preparation, Machinery and Tools, Welding and Cutting, Finishing and Testing equipment, and Coatings and Anti-Corrosion material, will begin at Expo Centre Sharjah on January 22.

The event will feature machinery from Austria, China, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, the UK and US.

It will also showcase welding and cutting displays from Austria, Belgium, China, Finland, India, Iran, Italy, Switzerland, Taiwan (ROC), Turkey, the UK and US.

Given the focused profile of the show, a large number of trade visitors, especially fabrication yard managers, production managers, procurement managers, estimators, planning and design engineers from across the Middle East are expected to visit the event.

Strong demand

  • Within the GCC, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the largest importers of machinery accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total.
  • The two countries together imported machine tools worth about $750 million last year.
  • The UAE is third most important re-export centre in the world after Hong Kong and Singapore. In 2004, its total re-exports amounted to $27.65 billion.

Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.