Issues related to raw materials, quality, productivity and funding are to be discussed at a conference of the Arab cable industry in Bahrain in April.

The first Arab cable conference, organised by the Arab Cable Manufacturers’ Forum (ACMF), will be held on April 26 and 27, 2005 at the Diplomat Hotel.
 Hamed Rashid Al Zayani, managing director of Midal Cables, Bahrain, who heads the Arabian Gulf wing of the forum, said manufacturers of 38 power and telephone cable manufacturers would attend the event to discuss the modernisation of Arab cable manufacturing and several other issues including transportation between the Arab states and exchange of expertise between firms.
The delegates will also discuss ways to counter dumping by foreign manufacturers.
One of the issues to be examined is a proposal for establishing Arab laboratories with the capability to issue technical compatibility certificates for Arab-made products.
Other subjects on the agenda include standardisation of Arab technical specifications, co-ordination of Arab production capabilities based on constructive integration and funding of new enterprises or expansions.
The ACMF, formed only recently, is in the process of compiling a database of Arab cable manufacturers.
Commenting on transportation obstacles in intra-Arab trade, Al Zayani decried the absence of a suitable shipping network in the region. He pointed out that it was cheaper to ship consignments from the Gulf to Japan or China than to Alexandria.
He also called on entrepreneurs to set up facilities to produce cable-grade PVC for which the raw material was already available in the region. Such a facility would help in import substitution and raise profits.
In other comments, Al Zayani said Arab cable manufacturers should consider mergers and acquisitions where needed in order to strengthen the Arab market.
Representatives of funding institutions and the telecommunications industry will also be present at the conference.
Co-ordinator of the ACMF is Midal Cables marketing and sales manager Khalid Al Jowder. The conference is being organised by T&M Eventscom, whose managing director is Zahra Taher.