Sharjah: The sixth edition of the region's leading trade show for the metal-working, metal-manufacturing and steel fabrication industry — SteelFab 2010 — was inaugurated at Expo Centre Sharjah on Monday.
The show was opened by Shaikh Khalid Bin Saqr Bin Hamad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Public Works Department — Sharjah and it will run until Thursday.
Present at the opening ceremony were Ahmad Mohammad Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah, and industry representatives.
"SteelFab is the largest exhibition of its kind in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Sub-continent, catering to the region's metal-working, metal-manufacturing and steel fabrication industry," Ahmad Al Midfa said.
"With the favourable market dynamics ensuring the presence of top decision makers of leading companies and manufacturers, the fair offers huge potential for networking, future joint ventures and tie-ups," Ahmad Al Midfa said.
"The government's support for infrastructure projects also augurs well for the industry," he said.
The UAE, in its budget for 2010, decided to massively increase infrastructure spending for this fiscal year. It earmarked Dh2.15 billion, or 5.1 per cent of the Dh42.2 billion budget, for infrastructure in 2009.
However, for 2010 about Dh7.6 billion, or 17.5 per cent of the Dh43.6 billion budget, has been devoted to infrastructure projects.
At SteelFab 2010, more than 150 direct exhibitors are showcasing over 500 brands in a total exhibition area of 16,000 square metres, featuring the Middle East's largest display of machinery, machine tools, welding equipment, supplies, consumables and ancillary equipment used in the pre- and post-treatment of steel.
