The Middle East Manufacturing Exhibition 2010 (Memex) will open on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) providing a platform for regional manufacturers to meet local, regional and international suppliers.

Over 120 companies representing 400 brands from 16 countries are expected to take part in the show which runs until November 30, according to IIR Middle East, the event organizers.

The expo will allow the UAE to showcase its diversification initiatives as it continues to invest heavily in its industrial manufacturing sector, stimulated by the need to diversify away from the oil sector as sustainability projects gather pace especially in the US, Europe and Japan, said a senior official.

“It is estimated that, based on proven oil deposits, the world will run out of oil within 75 years at current rates of consumption,” said Binu Pillai, exhibition director, Memex 2010.

“Slow economic growth and increased investment into renewable energy, is encouraging GCC countries to diversify away from hydrocarbons to balanced and sustainable knowledge-based economies. In that respect the UAE is certainly leading the region by example,” Pillai noted.

Abu Dhabi has already announced 100 per cent ownership for foreign companies in the multi-billion dollar Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ), a multi-purpose facility strategically located in in Taweelah area between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
 
The project includes the construction of a world-scale container and industrial port and the development of over 100 square kilometres of industrial, logistics, commercial, educational and residential special economic and free zones.

The infrastructure supporting the port includes a $131 million road project to connect the onshore port to the industrial zone and a $285 million contract for the fit out, testing and commissioning of the civil and structural works for the industrial zone. The two contracts start immediately, with completion dates in 2012. 

Investment in KPIZ follows Abu Dhabi’s first Industrial City (ICAD 1) which includes economic zones for base metals, construction products, electronics, plastics and automotive industries and (ICAD 2) - air conditioning, architectural hardware and aluminum windows and doors, which have collectively attracted around $5 billion in investment.

'However it is not just about the UAE. According to an FDI report by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, over the last seven years, the GCC region has collectively secured over $137 billion, funding 349 manufacturing projects and creating 126,000 jobs,' said Pillai.

'The UAE attracted 155 of those projects valued at $17.3 billion, creating over 38,000 jobs,' he added.

Numerous industrial zones are also being created across Saudi Arabia including King Abdullah Economic City an industrial city to the north of Jeddah with initial investment of $26.6 billion.

Bahrain is also planning a variety of industrial initiatives in the metals sector such as fifteen projects in the aluminium sector worth a total of $142 million. Qatar is looking to attract $30 billion to drive its industry base.

Over 3,000 decision makers from more than 25 countries have already registered for the event, primarily from across the Mena region. New this year is a dedicated Woodworker Zone for the latest in woodworking machinery and tools, Pillai added.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) is the leading partner of the Memex.-TradeArabia News Service