The soaring demand in the Middle East for Manufacturing Technology has been given further impetus by Covid, which has significantly disrupted supply chains. Local government authorities are keenly aware that imports should not be relied upon, and this has increased the already high level of investment in manufacturing, which is creating high value export opportunities for UK companies.
This year and for the first time in the history of the event, the UK Pavilion was by far the biggest International Pavilion. 20 UK companies exhibited at the fair and a further 29 were represented through their agents and distributors.
Rashid Khawaja, who is a Trade Advisor at the British Embassy in Dubai, kindly visited the event and was very impressed with the size and quality of the UK Pavilion, as well as the positive comments given by the many UK exhibitors he spoke to.
Although the number of exhibitors and visitors was lower than in previous years, the feedback from UK participants was excellent, because the quality of visitors they did receive was very high and they reported a great deal of enthusiasm from potential buyers.
The event is scheduled to take place again in from 9th – 12th January 2023 and there is already significant interest from potential exhibitors, as well as from a commercial sponsor for a reception at the British Embassy during the show. This will raise the profile of the UK Pavilion where potential customers and partners can be invited, to meet with the exhibitors.
The EIA/MTA will be lobbying government for funding for companies to attend this event next year to ensure the participation of even larger UK presence, where UK companies can have the opportunity to successfully penetrate this vibrant market as well as maintain the profile of Global Britain in this region.
For further information on Steelfab please contact Karen Finegold on [email protected]