The Arab Cables Manufacturers Association (ACMA) is hosting the fourth ArabCab 2008 Conference in partnership with Ducab.

The three-day event, which began yesterday (May 4) in Dubai, is being held under the patronage of minister of energy, UAE, Mohammed bin Dha'en Al Hamili.

The ArabCab 2008 Conference provides an ideal platform for its members to share and exchange their respective knowledge and expertise of the industry with members across the Arab world.

Over 75 company members from over 15 countries across the region that specialise in the manufacturing of cables are attending the event with the greater aim to further the growth and development of the industry.

"We in the ministries, authorities and energy generating and transmitting establishments hope that we have clearly stated the challenges represented by the increased demand for energy. These have not only reached high levels in some countries, but continue to increase," said Hamili in his opening address.

He added that cable manufacturers should take in account the increased demand and the progressive growth rates that so many Arab countries have witnessed, as well as being more open to the continual emerging regional trends and demands in the region.

Vice-chairman of the board of Ports and Free Zone and CEO of Dubai Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone authority Jamal Majid bin Thaniah spoke during the first session of the morning focusing on the fast and tremendous growth and development that the Gulf region and Dubai have witnessed in the past few years.

He said that Dubai's economical growth is in line with the vision of vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make it one of the finest cities in the world.

During the first day of the conference, Microsoft and Oracle representatives spoke about the technology usage in the cables industry.

As the leading manufacturer of cables in the UAE Ducab, a member of the ACMA since 2004, commented on the event.

"The fourth ArabCab 2008 Conference has been a highly anticipated conference. We are of course delighted that this year the conference is being held here in the UAE. In fact, after only one day of the conference our team is thrilled with the wide range of topics that have presented by key industry leaders. We look forward to the remaining presentations," said Ducab's managing director Andrew Shaw.- TradeArabia News Service