The Gulf has the largest concentration of energy resources in the world with oil producing countries in the region estimated to have spent approximately AED 182.5 billion (US$50 billion) to increase their current oil field production capacities or to develop new discoveries by the year-end.
The UAE has advanced and modern logistics infrastructure coupled with a strategic location between five continents. "This is a winning formula for a base metals hub such as Dubai," says Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information & Services, organizers of Tekno/Tube Arabia 2011 trade exhibition, the only specialized and established event of its kind in the Middle East.
New investments in the Gulf's pipes, tubes and steel industries will exceed AED 73 billion ($20 billion) between now and 2020 according to Tekno/Tube 2011, the international trade fair for industrial machinery, metalworking, and machine tools.
"From aluminum and steel to special and precious metals, the UAE is the place that could provide the entire GCC and Middle East region with base metal products," said Mr. Khanna, "Moreover, the presence of huge aluminum smelters in the region constitutes a great opportunity for the downstream aluminum industry."
In addition, he said the machinery and mechanical equipment zone in Dubai constitute an important market for metal products forming a true economic sector. Not to mention that the latest discovery of a major oil field in Dubai shores is an added boost to the Emirate's economy and trade.
The trade fair would be held January 8-11, 2011 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tekno/Tube Arabia, alongside Arabplast has succeeded in becoming an international trade fair for industrial machinery, metal working and machine tools. The show offers an ideal platform for companies to gain inroads in the booming Middle East market.
Reinforcing the role of the UAE as a hub is the development of Dubai Industrial City, a massive manufacturing and industrial complex which covers 560 million sq ft of prime land.
Khanna added: "The global demand for energy, infrastructure development, construction projects, water and air conditioning supply and automobiles - the key sectors that drive the tube and pipe industry - will continue to grow in the coming years."
With its easy access to global scientific talent, world class logistics and supply chain management capabilities, Dubai is set to become a leader in the highly engineered machinery and mechanical products.
