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The 4th Gulf Glass exhibition was inaugurated today by His Excellency Sheikh Mubarak Salem Musallam Al Ameri, Second Vice-President of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), in the presence of high-level officials and exhibitors from over 20 countries.
The exhibition comes at a significant time as the UAE’s glass industry braces for unprecedented growth with the country’s construction industry preparing to witness a compounded annual growth rate of around 20% from 2010 to 2013, with approximately 1,300 projects worth over $418 billion currently under construction across the UAE.
In addition, another 300 projects worth $143 billion are in the design, planning or bidding stages. Qatar has a burgeoning construction sector (bolstered by its hosting of the 2022 World Cup). The Middle East is witnessing an ever-increasing demand for float glass and processed, specialty glass products, employing new and innovative technologies and pushing architectural boundaries, not only in design trends, but also in environmental protection.
Over the next two days, some of the top international players in the glass industry will converge on Abu Dhabi to explore the future of their business, at Gulf Glass 2011, which takes place at ADNEC from March 7-9, 2011.
“Abu Dhabi in particular has a very powerful and stable economy, and Dubai remains an excellent market with many prestigious projects being undertaken” said Steve Rice, Director of GGF MENA – the regional arm for the UK-based Glass and Glazing Federation. “As such, this Gulf Glass 2011 exhibition represents a great opportunity for companies to learn about the region as visitors, or to present their products and services to some very serious buyers and specifiers.”
Glass consumption is also rising rapidly in the container glass sector of the market as confidence returns to the region. Aggressive expansion and investment in glass packaging facilities are clear indications that the container industry in the Middle East and Maghreb regions is one of the most globally strategic, with pharmaceuticals and food packaging markets in particular set to enjoy double digit growth.
“With all this exciting investment, the glass industry is ripe for investment and expansion” says Derek Burston, Event Manager for Gulf Glass 2011. “It is doubtless the reason that we have seen such an international spread of exhibitors signing up to the Abu Dhabi event, and we expect visitors to be drawn far and wide from the entire MENA region” he adds. “Gulf Glass 2011 exemplifies our long-term commitment to the region, and the furthering of the glass community”.
Gulf Glass 2011 is not only the biggest glass show in the region, but is also the only truly pan-Middle Eastern show dedicated to the entire glass industry. Gulf Glass 2011 is where the global glass industry meets, bringing together high profile, truly international exhibitors from all areas of the business, with over 20 countries represented. The exhibition boasts an exhibitor list that includes well over 100 of the world’s industry leaders. And with up to 3,000 international visitors expected this year, Gulf Glass is inarguably the best attended glass show in the entire region.
More information, free visitor admission tickets, all the latest news on this ’must visit’ event can be found on the show’s dedicated website www.glassinthegulf.com
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