HE Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) and HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, inaugurated the first International Concrete Conference & Exhibition in the Middle East (ICCX Middle East 2017). More than 100 exhibitors and 1,000 international experts in the construction sector attended the event.
The exhibition, which is unique to the region, is particularly important because of its portfolio of construction and planing projects in the GCC which are estimated to be worth 3.1 billion dollars. The exhibition provides opportunities for an innovation-friendly environment to maintain market positions and growth in a highly competitive market in order to be a leading economic platform in the region, specialized in sectors of cement, concrete and other cement products. The exhibition is taking place on the 26th and 27th of November. The event is organized by Germany’s ad-media GmbH in cooperation with the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK).
HE Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal states that the choice of Sharjah to host the first Middle East Cement Conference and Exhibition is an indication of the emirate’s leading position in the regional and global business and tourism industry. He added that holding such international events in Expo Center Sharjah contributes to the process of sustainable economic development in the emirate, which is based on diversification and providing the local economy with new resources that enhance stability and growth.
Al Sarkal emphasized the importance of this event and particularly to employees in the cement sector and related industries. He stated that the event provides an opportunity for investors from inside and outside the country in order to communicate with each other, and to enter into partnerships, dealings and to exchange experiences.
"We are proud to host the first ICCX Middle East at Expo Centre Sharjah. Catering exclusively to concrete and precast products, ICCX is a first of its kind event being held in Sharjah and adds to the diverse range of events held at Expo Centre Sharjah. The UAE has a strong cement industry and with demand remaining buoyant on the back of increasing infrastructure projects, the event will be a boon for local and regional players to acquire new technology, products and solutions," said HE Saif Mohamed Al Midfa, CEO Expo Centre Sharjah.
Al Midfa added that Expo Centre Sharjah has implemented a development plan during the year aimed at attracting economic investments in the Emirate and enhancing the status of the Expo Centre on an international level. He also pointed out that the development plan’s most prominent feature is to allow international companies to organize exhibitions in Expo Centre Sharjah, including specialized exhibitions such as the International concrete conference & exhibition.
"ICCX is an international event held across the world since 2005 by ad-media GmbH. ICCX ME is the latest addition to ad-media’s international trade show portfolio, bringing together international know-how and local expertise. ICCX ME will from now on take place annually in the Expo Centre Sharjah," said Dr. Holger Karutz, Managing Partner of ad media GmbH, organizer of ICCX ME.
"The conference program is covering topics of relevance to both concrete producers and all the stakeholders of the regional concrete and precast industry — primarily real estate developers and construction companies," added Dr. Holger.
Apart from raw materials, production equipment, technology and solutions, the conference program of ICCX ME 2017 is featuring experts from Germany, the UAE, South Africa and Switzerland providing insights into precast technology, sustainability, offsite construction, durability, high-performance concrete, precast buildings, 3D printing, customising, quality control, new generation pavestones, nanoparticles and geopolymer concrete.