New expo targets key segments of construction, manufacturing

Expo Centre Sharjah yesterday said it has decided to target the key construction-manufacturing sector in a first-of-its-kind exhibition in the UAE. The exhibition will be held from May 18 to 20 and will target five key manufacturers of building materials – steel, cement, glass, aluminium and ceramics. "There is no show that caters to the heavy industry except for oil and gas. We are aware that the industry is going through a slowdown but it will have minimum effect on major factories. These are strategic investments and not directly affected by the slowdown," said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah. "Investments in heavy manufacturing plants and mills are mostly government backed and hence will see less cutbacks in the region. Lower construction and equipment costs will see both expansions and new projects going on-stream sooner rather than later," said Midfa. Most of the exhibitors will be suppliers for steel and cement plants. This year the exhibition will be called, Thermal Industry Middle East and will focus on heavy industries in the Middle East. While cement and steel will play a major role, the sub-sections include Steel-Tech, Alu-Tech, Cement-Tech and Glass and Ceramic-Tech. "The rapidly changing economic realities across the world have prompted us to introduce new shows and reposition some of the existing ones," he added. Midfa also said that confidence and trust are returning to regional markets that were battered by the financial storm sweeping through the world. Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here .