Middle East Steel 2008 conference


Booming steel industry prepares for Middle East Steel 2008
Industry leaders to discuss supply and demand imbalance and pricing issues -

MEED, the business intelligence expert in the Middle East, has announced details of its Middle East Steel 2008 conference at a critical time for this industry. A recent report claims that the cost of steel has almost doubled (an increase of 91 per cent) in the last six months. And while the steel industry is booming in the region due to the extraordinary number of major construction projects, there is a significant imbalance between supply and demand.

Consumption of steel in the Middle East is growing at a phenomenal rate. By 2010 the region is expected to consume 60 million tonnes a year, while expected to only produce 35 million tonnes per year. This massive imbalance between supply and demand therefore means that the business opportunities for those involved in the region's steel sector is immense.

Building on the success of its previous two events, MEED's two-day conference will explore the key issues and challenges and highlight the enormous potential for those involved in the region's ever expanding steel industry. Sponsored by Emirates Steel Industries, the conference will be held between the 12th and 14th October 2008 at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai.

“The Middle East Steel 2008 conference comes at an exceptionally exciting time for this sector. Production in the region is being rapidly expanded to try to keep up with unprecedented demand. The gap between supply and demand, the search for investment by producers and the rise in fuel and energy costs are the biggest issues right now for the industry and ones that will be explored in depth at the conference.

“Anyone who has an interest in the booming Middle East steel market will make exceptional contacts at the conference – including steel producers, traders, raw materials suppliers, construction industry and other consumers and potential investors. Delegates are expected from all GCC countries and further afield including the UAE and Canada, Europe and Asia.

Key steel industry players contributing to the conference include:

Delegates for MEED’s Middle East Steel 2008 conference are also able to take advantage of a pre-event workshop on steel pricing, which offers a thorough understanding of the impact of the volatile cost of steel and raw materials in the region’s steel industry.

MEED is the acknowledged market-leader in key regional industry-focused events and conferences; delivering expert, up-to-date business intelligence, industry data and research findings. More information about Middle East Steel 2008 - including latest news, pre-event workshop and full conference details, can be found at www.meed.com/events/steel

To reserve places at the conference, call the MEED customer services team on +9714 390 0699 or email conferences@meed-dubai.com.