With the industrial sector playing a key role in the stellar growth of the UAE economy in over a decade, there is a strong build-up for SteelFab, the region’s premier trade event that has been anchoring the growth of the metal working industry since the past two decades.

Preparations are already under way and bookings and enquiries have started for the 18th edition, which will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from January 9-12, 2023.

Besides economic growth and policy decisions, new industry developments too have put the spotlight on SteelFab, the leading event for the metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry event.

According to Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah: "The UAE government’s continuing investments in industrial programmes are also serving the fabrication sector well. Besides, the announcement to establish an integrated metal hub is another development that is keenly watched by the industry since it has the potential to revolutionise the metal working industry."

The UAE economy has already shifted course from recovery mode to solid growth aided by a rise in oil prices and an upside in non-oil sectors and is set to post its strongest annual expansion since over a decade.

According to UAE Central Bank’s Quarterly Economic Review 2022, the UAE economy grew by 8.2 per cent in the first three months of this year, with stronger growth expected due to higher oil production and a government pledge to double the manufacturing sector's size.

Government initiatives and its move to continue its investment in the industrial sector have already started bearing fruits, with more than 200 new factories going online last year itself.

"Being the largest and well-established event of its kind in the Middle East and Africa region, SteelFab has been the go-to event for the fabrication industry for nearly two decades now and I believe the new developments would help the event scale more heights in terms of its significance, cutting-edge technology, sharing of expertise, and top-notch networking opportunities," Al Midfa adds.

The 18th SteelFab 2023 will witness the presence of leading global manufacturers and their dealers catering to the entire gamut of auxiliary segments of the fabrication industry through special segments, such as welding and cutting, steel machinery, pipe construction equipment, and surface preparation and finishing.

It will also feature a two-day conference where leading names from the industry will present new technology and discuss the changing nature of the steel fabrication industry.

Sultan Shattaf, Director, Sales and Marketing, Expo Centre Sharjah, says: "The primary demand drivers for the fabrication industry are the core industries such as construction and oil and gas. However, new and emerging sectors like aerospace and automotive, which extensively use fabricated metal, are triggering growth in demand for further implementation of automation, cybersecurity, additive manufacturing, AI tools, new connectivity standards and advanced analytics. Additionally, advancements in the field of robotics and automation tools are emerging as another factor for the expansion of the metal fabrication market."

The previous show held in January 2022 across 12,000 sq m, witnessed more than 150 exhibitors from 25 countries presenting over 400 brands from 30 countries, and it succeeded in attracting 6,000 trade visitors from 42 countries.

Over the years, SteelFab has played a key role equipping local fabricators with latest innovations and technology and thus strengthening the local industrial sector.

Recently, the UAE was rated the most competitive industrial sector in the Arab World. It climbed five places since 2020 and nine places since 2017, according to the latest United Nations global rankings.