Sharjah: Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman for Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, inaugurated the 21st edition of SteelFab, the Middle East and North Africa's largest exhibition for the metalworking and steel fabrication industries. Organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the exhibition runs until 15th January, gathering more than 600 leading brands and 350 exhibitors from 35 countries. The event, spanning 25,000 square metres, showcases innovations and technologies shaping the future of the sector.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Khaled conducted an official tour of the exhibition, engaging with exhibitors and corporate representatives to receive briefings on product portfolios and modern technologies applied in the steel and iron industry. The tour highlighted innovations in steel fabrication and metalworking technologies presented by global industry leaders from the UAE, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Turkey, India, Taiwan, and Thailand, alongside regional enterprises.
Accompanying Sheikh Khaled on his tour were Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Expo Centre Sharjah, Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI, and SCCI board members. Also present were Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) and the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone), along with senior government officials and industry stakeholders.
Following the tour, Sheikh Khaled praised the efforts of the Sharjah Chamber and Expo Centre Sharjah in advancing SteelFab, highlighting its strong standing among global trade events. He emphasized Sharjah's position as a leading destination for high-profile trade fairs and exhibitions, underscoring Expo Centre Sharjah's capability to attract top global players in the metalworking industry.
Sheikh Khaled further noted that SteelFab serves as a vital platform for metal-forming manufacturers and suppliers to expand their presence in the Middle East and North Africa. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais remarked on the pivotal role of metalworking and steel fabrication industries in the UAE economy, serving as a core driver of supply chains in construction, manufacturing, and energy.
Al Owais added that SteelFab is a key annual exhibition for the sector, facilitating long-term commercial partnerships beyond the exhibition period. He noted the growth in exhibitor and visitor participation as a sign of market confidence in the UAE's position as a regional hub for manufacturing businesses and specialised exhibitions.
Meanwhile, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa highlighted the exhibition's significance as a platform for deals and partnerships with global industry leaders. He stated that SteelFab facilitates integration of local manufacturers into global supply chains, creating growth opportunities and reinforcing efforts to strengthen the UAE's industrial economy.
This year's edition features global companies specialising in cutting, forming, and welding technologies, offering access to advanced machinery and industrial solutions. Exhibits include next-generation steel production equipment, modern metal forming technologies, low-cost laser cutting systems, and AI-powered manufacturing robots, supported by live demonstrations.
The exhibition also hosts a welding competition to reinforce skills development and professional excellence in precision manufacturing. SteelFab 2026 includes structured B2B meetings sponsored by 'Alaa Al-Din', with panels and discussions addressing strategic themes such as the future of the iron and steel sector, sustainability frameworks, market shifts, and global trends influencing industry and investment decisions.