The UAE’s move to provide a fresh momentum to economic diversification is set to give the steel fabrication and the metal working industry a big boost.
 
The country is targeting to double the contribution of the industrial sector to its gross domestic product (GDP) in the next five years from the current 10-11 per cent, and the steel fabrication industry will be one of the key focus areas of this new thrust, said a statement.

With falling crude prices, the regional governments are panning to focus more on the non-oil sector, with a recent IMF study finding that much remains to be done though the region has made some progress towards economic diversification in recent years.
 
Given the new developments, the mood was upbeat at the 11th edition of the region’s premier four-day metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication trade fair – SteelFab 2015 – that got under way at Expo Centre Sharjah today (January 26).

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, chief executive officer of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “SteelFab is now an established regional show. Over the years, we have introduced certain verticals within the show which we are now looking to develop into concurrent and stand alone shows.

“Fasteners and stainless steel are two such segments and we are launching Fastener World Middle East alongside SteelFab next year.”
 
Fastener World Middle East will be a dedicated trade fair for the fastener and fixing industry, and provide an opportunity for international manufacturers to demonstrate both typical and specialised fasteners to regional buyers.
 
“SteelFab now encompasses a trade fair, a series of special focus areas, special pavilions, new segments, live displays, technical seminars and product presentations,” said Midfa.

“The addition of Fastener World ME will help it cover more segments and increase its profile. We are not far away when SteelFab will be seen as largest and the best industrial show of its kind in the region and beyond,” he added.
 
As a prelude to the launch, SteelFab has introduced the Fasteners Pavilion this time, which is a special pavilion at the show.

The special focus areas at SteelFab include welding and cutting, material handling, machine tools, pipe and tube machinery, apart from live display, and technical seminars and product presentations.
 
SteelFab 2015 is featuring more than 350 direct exhibitors who overall represent nearly 900 brands from across the world at all the six halls of Expo Centre.

The technical seminars will look into topics such as blast process optimisation and operating cost analysis, software applications for steel fabrication and automation in structural steel fabrication. - TradeArabia News Service