Top officials pose for a group photo at the SteelFab 2024 in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Expo Centre Sharjah has held discussions with official delegations taking part in the 19th edition of SteelFab 2024, with talks focusing on ways to develop cooperation prospects and boost the participation of international and regional companies in the exhibition. The discussions aimed to reinforce the exhibition sector’s role in advancing the iron and steel industry.

The key meeting took place on the sidelines of SteelFab 2024, led by  Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, and Oliver P. Kuhrt CEO of the German company “Messe Essen,” along with several officials from both parties. Both sides explored avenues for collaboration in organising joint events and reviewed the preliminary results of German companies’ participation in the exhibition.

 Saif Mohammed Al Midfa lauded the notable presence of German companies in the exhibitions being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah, particularly in “SteelFab,” which in 2017 saw the debut of Germany’s Essen Welding and Cutting, “ with a special pavilion. This collaboration has since flourished, culminating in a significant presence of German companies this year, both in terms of the scale and quality of their participation.

For his part, Oliver P. Kuhrt emphasised that numerous German companies are keen to participate in “SteelFab” annually. Recognised as one of the most important events in the iron and steel industry in the region, “SteelFab” provides a vital platform for these companies to expand their reach and establish a strong presence in the UAE and the broader region.

Also on the sidelines of “SteelFab,” Al Midfa engaged in productive discussions with Taoufik Hachicha, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tunisia. The discussions focused on augmenting the engagement of Tunisian companies in future editions of “SteelFab.”

Al Midfa highlighted that such meetings pave the way for enhancing the participation of Tunisian firms in upcoming editions of the exhibition. The enhanced participation would enable Tunisian businesses to take full advantage of the event’s potential, especially as it serves as a crucial international platform, providing opportunities for companies to exchange expertise and experiences, finalize deals, establish partnerships, and uncover promising investment possibilities in the iron and steel sector within the UAE.

Organized by Expo Centre Sharjah and supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SteelFab 2024, running until January 11, features the participation of over 300 companies representing 600 brands.

The SteelFab 2024 exhibition, organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), is currently witnessing a significant presence from India. With 35 exhibitors, the Indian Pavilion showcases leading companies and brands in the iron and steel industry.

Staged by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the India Pavilion highlights the latest innovations and technologies from Indian specialists in steel and metallurgy.

The display also includes a range of products and services, featuring machinery and equipment for the steel industry, advanced metal forming technologies, laser systems for metal cutting, and other cutting-edge technologies that have garnered substantial interest among exhibition attendees.

Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, while inaugurating the Pavilion, emphasized the importance of such platforms in fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and exploring new business opportunities between India and the UAE. He commended the efforts of CII and the participating companies for their dedication to exhibiting India’s capabilities in these crucial industries.

For his part, Sultan Shattaf, Commercial Director at Expo Centre Sharjah, emphasized that the strong participation of Indian companies reflects the exhibition’s prestigious status and the confidence that regional and international companies place in this event as a global hub for deal-making, partnerships, experience sharing, and exploring the latest industry innovations. The event also offers a window into investment opportunities in the UAE and the broader region’s iron and steel sector.

SteelFab 2024, concluding on Thursday evening, is currently bringing together over 300 major manufacturers, producers, and suppliers from around the world. Recognised as one of the most important events in the iron and steel industry in the region, “SteelFab” provides a vital platform for these companies to expand their reach and establish a strong presence in the UAE and the broader region.

Meanwhile, the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) in Sharjah is exhibiting  in the 19th edition of the SteelFab 2024 exhibition, organised by Expo Centre Sharjah from January 8 to 11.