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I DA U N I V E R S A L M a rc h -A p r i l 2 0 1 6 17 gies and applications for all their metal forming, fabricating, welding and fi nishing needs, thus underscoring the importance of SteelFab and its increasing exhib- itor, as well as visitor, turnout every year. e SteelFab 2016 showed more than 370 exhibitors, repre- senting nearly 1,000 brands, from 43 countries at all six halls of Expo Centre Sharjah, besides new special focus areas, special pavilions, live displays, technical seminars and product presenta- tions. e past edition of the show had featured 350 exhibitors and attracted 10,324 trade visitors from 83 countries. e opening ceremony also saw the launch of a new vertical – Fasteners World Middle East – besides the introduction of two special focus areas – Stainless Steel and Wear Resistant & Hard Facing Cladding. "With the addition of Fasteners World ME and the new special focus areas, the SteelFab is now the largest and most compre- hensive industrial event of its kind in the entire region," added Al Midfa. e other special focus areas that helped SteelFab provide the widest product coverage included Welding & Cutting, Machine Tools and Pipe & Tube Machinery, along with the three special segments of Steel-Tech, TRENDS AND TIDBITS Despite low oil prices, the steel fabrication and metal working industry is looking to sustain its growth in the United Arab Emirates and the region. Steel fabricators are banking on commitments by regional govern- ments to continue spending aimed at keeping the economies growing. Besides, most Gulf countries have reiterated their decisions to carry on with their infrastructure plans, a move that will keep the order books full for fabricators. Aimed at providing a leg up for the regional steel fabrication and metal working industry, SteelFab 2016 got underway at Expo Centre Sharjah on Sunday, January 17, and continued until Wednesday, January 20. e four-day exhibition was inaugurated by Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qassimi, chairman of Sharjah Sea Ports and Customs, in the presence of Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah; other offi cials, dignitaries and industry representatives. " e UAE is the least aff ected by low oil prices, thanks to our diversifi cation policies and increased reliance on the non-oil sector. In fact, the non-oil sector now contributes nearly 69 percent of our GDP. is has had a direct and positive bearing on the steel fabrication sector, which is now an essential cog in the wheel of our economic growth," said Al Midfa. e steady demand from the core sector, led by the continuing infrastructure projects, encour- aged regional fabricators to look at acquiring cutting-edge equipment, advanced technolo- Steel Fabricators Upbeat on Growth Fabricators Pavilion and Steel Showcase. Industry observers point out that a depreciating euro against the U.S. dollar also off ers regional fabricators a great opportunity to source machinery from Europe at an economical rate, given that SteelFab features several pavil- ions and exhibitors from Europe. e euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate has been hovering around $1 for quite some time, which is a signifi cant fall from over $1.35 just 18 months ago. lid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qassimi at ≠12th SteelFab 2016 at Expo Centre Sharjah Foreign pavilions at the show included those of Germany and Taiwan, apart from a strong presence of manufacturers from Italy, Turkey, China and India. e technical seminars looked into topics such as lean manufacturing solutions, applica- tion of PFP materials, advance processing technologies, reverse engineering and so ware applica- tions, among others. ● www.khaleejtimes.com 1/16 Trends continued on page 19