German wire and tube manufacturers are anticipating an increased volume of business from the Middle East due to the buoyant construction industry that consumed 307,000 tonnes of steel tubes in 2003.

Exhibition organiser Messe Düsseldorf will stage two shows in the German city, one for wires and the other for tubes. They  are aimed at helping German manufacturers establish a rapport with Middle East consumers.
Wire 2004 and Tube 2004 are scheduled for March 29 to April 2.
According to data provided by the Germany-based Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahlrohre (Economic Association of Steel Tubes), the market supply of steel tubes in the UAE increased from 228,000 tonnes in 2002 to 307,000 tonnes in 2003. With just over 32,000 tonnes of tube imports originating from Germany, manufacturers and suppliers are seeking to augment the share through the introduction of cutting-edge technologies to the market.
“The reconstruction of infrastructure in Iraq, the construction boom in the UAE and the growing energy demands of the entire Middle East region, call for high quality, technologically advanced wires, cables and tubes,” said Georg Kehrer, the project director of Wire 2004 and Tube 2004. 
“Wire and Tube trade fairs organised by Messe Düsseldorf have traditionally been the launch pads for several technological innovations in the construction industry. In 2004, the events will once again provide trade visitors the opportunity to examine first-hand the potential of the new technologies launched. We want the Middle East region to benefit from these trade fairs by getting exposed to the latest and innovative technologies in the field,” said Kehrer.
“Dubai’s importance as the trade hub of the Middle East makes the emirate a very important trading partner for German as well as global manufactures who are seeking new markets, including the promising Iraqi market.”
The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) is among those participating in the twin events.
Jafza’s presence at Wire 2004 and Tube 2004 will open further trade opportunities between the UAE and Germany,” said Kehrer.
“On the other hand, the small, but rapidly growing industrial sector in the UAE will also benefit from participation in the two events, as they will provide direct access to an extremely large international potential client mass, concentrated in one place.”
The Jebel Ali Free Zone itself houses a number of steel, fabrication and engineering companies, some of whom undertake contract jobs for distinguished Western companies.  Elsewhere in the UAE, the steel, fabrication and engineering sector has expanded significantly, giving a boost to imports of raw materials and the distribution and export of finished and value-added products.
According to information supplied by the German Foreign Office, exports in 2003 from Germany to the UAE increased by seven per cent, to touch a high of  €3.07 billion ($3.8 billion).  Automobiles, machinery and electro-technical products accounted for the largest share of German exports to the country. With the integral importance of wires, cables and tubes to all three export segments, the holding of trade events devoted to these products brings major significance for both German manufacturers and Middle Eastern traders and clients alike.