More than 200 exhibitors from 30 countries will participate and showcase their latest products at the 5th edition of the Aluminium Middle East, one of the largest events of its kind in the region, which will take place in May, in Dubai, UAE.

The event will take place from May 15 to 17, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

The exhibition is expected to attract over 3,500 industry professionals from over 90 countries, said a statement from the organisers.

This year, the Middle East posted the second highest year-on-year demand growth globally during the first quarter at +5.8 per cent and the world now has its eyes set on witnessing how the GCC will continue to thrive in a post-oil world, with aluminium as one of the major economy drivers, it said.

This regional growth is a major contributor to a growing global demand for aluminium which is estimated to reach 70 million metric tonnes per year by 2020, it added.

Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the official organisers of Aluminium Middle East, said: “Bringing together key frontrunners of the aluminium industry from all over the world, the biennial exhibition is once again expected to become a gateway for companies and professionals to collaborate and tap into the region’s multi-billion-dollar industry.”

The event aims to highlight the Middle East’s future role as the world’s powerhouse in aluminium production. Together with suppliers of technologies and accessories for aluminium production, processing and refinement, there will also be facilitated discussions on uplifting the downstream sectors to support this phenomenal growth in upstream industries, said a statement.

The 2017 show will feature six international pavilions (Germany, Italy, India, China, North America and Egypt) and two new dedicated zones (Occupational Safety and SMEs) meant to underscore how the GCC will focus on other related sectors,  in order to diversify their economies to ease their dependence on energy revenues, it said.

Qureshi said: “The event is a much-anticipated event for industry players to meet potential business partners, investors, and collaborators.”

“After successfully establishing itself as a key industry event, and banking on the immense growth potential of the aluminium sector in the Middle East, more exhibitors from the region and the rest of the world are expected to join, giving event participants a wider net to cast,” Qureshi concluded.

Over 3,500 visitors are expected from over 70 countries at the 2017 edition, demonstrating the increased focus on global opportunities in this sector, it stated.

Exhibiting at the event, John MacNamara, general manager, sales and marketing, Garmco, said: “As one of the biggest gatherings for aluminium professionals and a leading exhibition in the Middle East, we aim to exchange knowledge with key industry players, identify new opportunities in regards to entering new markets, and potentially introduce new products down the line.”

“Our participation at the event will also be a great occasion for us to meet existing and prospective customers,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service