(Minews) - A large congregation of aluminium industry professionals are set to gather in Dubai, UAE, as the emirate hosts regional and international aluminium producers, suppliers and investors from more than 25 countries this week.
The Aluminium Middle East 2015 exhibition will run from April 14 to 16 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The exhibition, to be held under the theme of “Forging Connections… Building Possibilities”, will help the aluminium industry reach a new level of extraordinary growth and cement Middle East’s position as a powerhouse of the world’s aluminium industry, said a statement.
Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of the event, said: “The UAE aluminium industry’s strengthening foothold in the global arena has resulted in constant growth of this exhibition. During this edition of Aluminium Middle East, we are expecting atleast 14 per cent higher turnout, making it the region’s largest industry gathering so far.”
More than 4,000 people are expected to visit the two day exhibition, which has emerged as a must-attend event for networking, building professional relationships, identifying investment opportunities and getting acquainted with the latest technologies and best practices from around the globe, said at the statement.
The UAE is the world's fourth largest aluminium producer, accounting for over 50 per cent of the Gulf's aluminium production. As it continues to strengthen its share in the global market, it presents tremendous new opportunities for international industry players, it said.
Global industry experts have projected robust growth in aluminium exports from the UAE. Aluminium exports from the country grew by 102 per cent in the first half of 2012 and the sector is expected to become one of the key non-oil industry sectors in the future.
Strong growth in the economy, fuelled by new projects, will further boost aluminium industry.
According to a study by EC Harris, the UAE is projected to spend $329 billion on major construction projects by 2030. Big construction projects, which cost more than $1 billion, are due to peak in the UAE by 2016.
According to statistics, the Gulf aluminium industry is growing by 8.4 per cent annually, compared to an average annual global expansion of 3.5 per cent, making the Middle East the fastest growing aluminium market in the world.
The aluminium industry contributes significantly to the region-wide efforts to diversify economies beyond oil and gas. With widening scope, facilities and capabilities, the sector has helped increase foreign trade, create more jobs and expand regional economies.
The region is not only one of the key aluminium producers in the world, but is also among major consumption markets of the metal.
Having a competitive advantage in terms of massive reserves of raw material, energy and natural gas and easy availability of cheap skilled labour, compared to its global counterparts, the region is an attractive destination for industry players seeking to expand or liaise with regional players.
“Aluminium Middle East 2015 comes at an important time when the GCC region is not only increasing its aluminium production to five million tonnes by the end of 2014, but also moving fast from upstream industries into downstream industries to create added value for aluminium products,” said Qureshi.
“The exhibition paves the way for building professional relationships and alliances, along with creating partnerships between energy sources, smelters, mines and logistics companies,” he added.
