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The Middle East Advantage
It is estimated that energy costs are the highest component in high
thermal manufacturing processes, and sometimes as high as 30-40%.
The UAE's natural gas reserves (estimated at 212 trillion cubic feet;
Oil & Gas Journal) are the world's fifth largest after Russia, Iran,
Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Qatar's proven natural gas reserves stand at
910.5 trillion cubic feet and are the third-largest in the world, while
Saudi Arabia has the fourth largest proven natural gas reserves in the
world estimated at 240 trillion cubic feet.
Dolphin Energy’s Dolphin Gas Project is one of the largest single energy
initiatives ever undertaken in the Middle East and will create a gas
grid among Qatar, the UAE and Oman, bringing Qatar's gas to these two
GCC countries.
The abundant and comparatively cheaper gas available in this region, can
be used as a power source for the energy intensive thermal manufacturing
processes in the production of steel, aluminium, cement, glass and
ceramics.
The region is also rich in raw materials that go into making of some of
these materials like limestone, gypsum, sand etc. This natural advantage
of cheap energy and availability of some raw materials have helped the
GCC states in setting up production units for aluminum, steel, glass,
cement, ceramics and other high thermal industries.
Another factor that is of immense advantage to the sector is the
availability of economical labour and experienced personnel, mainly,
from the traditional manufacturing countries of the Subcontinent and
Asian. Furthermore, Free zones & Industrial Zones in the Gulf offer
attractive investment opportunities for thermal manufacturing
businesses, with tax-free returns, 100 per cent ownership and complete
repatriation of profits, encouraging investors to base their operations
here.
The Middle East provides a substantial domestic market, where steel,
aluminum, cement, glass and ceramics are in great demand, feeding the
on-going construction and infrastructure developments taking place.
Excess capacities can easily be exported to the surrounding markets of
the Indian Subcontinent, China, South East Asia, CIS countries and
Europe. Excellent ports and shipping intervals in most Middle East
countries add to the attraction as a manufacturing base.
The efforts of the GCC nations to diversify their economies, and the
availability of considerable monetary surpluses due to high oil prices
and foreign direct investment, have led to a boom in investment in
diverse sectors, fuelling demand for steel, aluminium, cement, glass,
ceramics and related construction materials and services.
Thermal Industry Middle East (TIME) – Perfectly timed
With local demand rising and attractive export options available, the
Thermal Industry in the Middle East is at the beginning of a major
investment cycle. Several new
projects are being planned whilst existing facilities are being
expanded, be it steel, aluminium, cement, glass or ceramics.
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In this scenario, there is an immediate need for a platform where
industry suppliers can showcase their products, assess market needs,
network and share latest
developments.
Thermal Industry Middle East will be a one-stop shop featuring
sub-sections such as Steel-Tech, Alu-Tech, Cement-Tech and Glass &
Ceramic -Tech.
The exhibition will feature specialist suppliers for each
sub-section as well as suppliers common to all thermal manufacturing
processes. By bringing all thermal
manufacturing processes under one platform, the exhibition will aim
to achieve required critical mass to ensure that it holds the
industries' interest and thereby
guarantees their visit to the show.
Hence, the inaugural Thermal Industry Middle East is perfectly timed
and conceptualised to take full advantage of the increased
manufacturing capabilities in the regional
economies.
The biennial event, which is the technology trade fair for the
thermal process manufacturing industry in the Middle East, will be
the only show that exclusively caters to the
several key segments of the industry by incorporating technology,
equipment, products and services from the aluminium, steel, cement
and glass & ceramic segments of
the sector.
Each sub-section will be supported by a conference and workshop
addressing the key commercial issues and manufacturing challenges
for that particular sector. |
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GCC Economies – Galloping ahead
A total of two trillion US dollar worth of infrastructure projects
are under way in the GCC, with the UAE accounting for a lion's share
– 37 per cent, according to
recently released figures. The UAE has also registered the highest
growth, with total project values in the federation rising by 46 per
cent over the past 12 months.
The efforts of the GCC nations to diversify their economies, and the
availability of considerable monetary surpluses due to high oil
prices and foreign direct investment, have
led to a boom in investment in diverse sectors, fuelling demand for
steel, aluminium, cement, glass, ceramics and related construction
materials and services. |
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