The GCC tubes and pipes industry will invest $18 billion in the next five years in new pipelines and associated infrastructure, as the Gulf is set to add more than 21,000 km to its current pipe network, said experts.

This constitutes 14 per cent of the globally extended planned pipeline network of 161,000 km, according to the organisers of the upcoming Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting, Tekno Arabia and Tube Arabia, the 3-in-1 show, to be held from January 7 to 10 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

This was revealed at a press conference held in Dubai today (January 2) by event organisers Al Fajer Information & Services (AFIS) and Messe Essen and Messe Dusseldorf.

The press conference was supported by German Welding Society (DVS) and International Tube Association (ITA).

“Each of these industrial exhibitions has its own value proposition to respective industries in the UAE and the wider pan Arab region,” said Satish Khanna, general manager of AFIS.

“The GCC’s drive to extend its railway network will boost the demand for tubes, pipes and welding solutions. This demand is being met with increased domestic production by local players. Moreover, the remarkable utility and construction projects are giving a shot in the arm to the pipes, tubes and welding industries. This has boosted the importance of these three shows by attracting more companies to display their products to target the rapidly increasing trade visitors.”

“This year’s event has a special flavor as Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting 2013 makes its debut in the GCC. The new fair is the result of successful collaboration between the fair companies in Essen and Düsseldorf and us,” Khanna added.

“The debut show is leveraging on the leading position of the Tekno and Tube shows which have established themselves as international events for industrial machinery, metal working, machine tools, tubes and pipes.”

The three shows are regarded as gateways to the extremely important Gulf and Middle East markets by exhibitors from Europe, North America and Asia.

Tekno and Tube Arabia have emerged as the largest and most important regional industry exhibitions and adding welding to these two vibrant industries offers an integrated solution to the rapidly growing needs of the industry. The three exhibitions represent a significant industry component of the industrial and manufacturing stake.

Exhibitors in Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting include manufacturers of welding equipment, consumables and accessories as well as traders of fume extraction devices, pool monitoring systems, seam measurement and evaluation devices, among others.

The press conference also announced the launch of ‘DVS Congress ARABIA 2013’ which will be held on January 7 and 8 alongside ‘Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting 2013’ trade fair.

Tekno and Tube Arabia fairs have become major international trade events for industrial machinery, metal working and machine tools. The two shows offer an ideal platform for companies to gain inroads into the booming Middle East markets.

Khanna added: “As for the tubes industry, the GCC and Middle East are providing increasingly attractive markets for international tube manufacturers. Some of the growing sectors include oil and gas technology, petrochemicals, water and electricity supply, drainage as well as construction.”

Tekno and Tube Arabia 2013 are specialised in showcasing latest industrial machinery, metalworking, machine tools, dies/molds, tubes, and pipes by a wide array of the world's tube and pipe manufacturers.

“These three-in-one shows have attracted 300 exhibitors from 27 countries,” added Khanna. – TradeArabia News Service