UAE produced 2.17 million tonnes of crude steel in 11 months of 2014, becoming region’s third largest producer

UAE produced 2.17 million tonnes of crude steel in 11 months of 2014, becoming region’s third largest producer

Tube Arabia, Metal Middle East and Arabian Essen Welding and Cutting exhibitions generate huge interest

Dubai, UAE, 12 January 2015: Recent figures released by the World Steel Association show that the UAE has produced 2.1 million tonnes of crude steel in the first 11 months of 2014, making the country the region’s third largest producer.

This was highlighted today (Monday, 12 January 2014) on the third day of Metal Middle East, Tube Arabia and Arabia Essen Welding and Cutting (AEWC), the region’s trio of exhibitions for metal, pipes and welding industries.

The exhibitions generated multi-million dollar deals in sale of machineries on the third day, with even higher expectations for the concluding day (Tuesday, 13 January 2015)

Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, co-organisers of the three mega shows along with the two German giants Messe Düsseldorf and Messe Essen, says: “We are not surprised with the response in three days. Tubes and Metal industries are witnessing accelerated growth, driven by several factors, especially expansion and development of oil and gas operations, infrastructure projects, urban areas and populations.”

“This usually brings benefit to all the allied sectors,” Khanna added. “We have huge expectations for the concluding day, as trade visitors are thronging the venue until the final hours.”

Khanna said: “The UAE is witnessing a rapid population growth and urbanization, along with the expansion of energy-intensive industries. These products form the arteries of societies, transporting water, sewage, gas and crude oil, without which life as we know it would be unsustainable.”

Jeen Joshua, Exhibition Group Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services said: “Today, steel is one of the most common materials in the world. We rely on it for our housing, transport, food and water supply, energy production, tools and healthcare. Nearly everything around us is either made of steel or manufactured by equipment made of steel.”

He added: “According to an estimate, for every newborn baby there is a need for two metres of new pipeline, which is an indicator of the growth potential for these key sectors.”

“We are extremely delighted with the footfall so far for our exhibitions. It is quite unique to have such related shows into one platform, which ensures a larger number of exhibitors coming into Dubai at one time and offer a wider choice to buyers.”

Dubai Marina photos, UAE

Dubai Marina photos, United Arab Emirates, UAE

Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE , October 2014

Sparkle Towers photos, Cityscape Global 2014, Dubai Marina, UAE, 24 September 2014

Mall of The World photos, Cityscape Global 2014, Dubai, UAE, 24 September 2014

The Summit by Damac photos, Aka Signature and Burjside Boulevard , Downtown Dubai, UAE

Dubai Marina photos, UAE, October 2016

UAE to jump 2% in global built asset rankings, rising to 23rd position, says Flash Properties

UAE to jump 2% in global built asset rankings, rising to 23rd position, says Flash Properties

With built asset wealth of US$122,809 per person, UAE stands 12th in global rankings, reveals the Cityscape Global participant

Dubai, UAE, 21 September 2013: Along with Singapore and Brazil, the UAE is expected to be the highest climber over the coming decade as its built asset wealth is expected to grow by 2 per cent, moving the country up two places to 23rd in the global rankings.

This was revealed by Flash Properties, a leading regional real estate company, based on recent findings of the Global Built Asset Wealth Index, which quantifies the accumulated wealth of 30 countries’ built assets and is conducted by EC Harris in conjunction with the Centre for Economic and Business Research.

According to this Index, when it comes to built asset wealth per person, the UAE comes 12th in the global rankings, with an estimated built asset wealth of US$122,809 per person, while Saudi Arabia is in the 15th place with US$72,861.

The rankings were highlighted on the sidelines of the announcement by Flash Properties of its high-profile participation in Cityscape Global, the Middle East's largest and most influential international real estate event, taking place from 8-10 October 2013 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Tanzeel Gader, CEO, Flash Properties said: “The recent findings of Global Built Asset Wealth Index by analyzing the accumulated wealth of 30 countries’ built assets – encompassing all the property and infrastructure that contributes to economic productivity – is a true indicator of the great potential of the UAE’s real estate market. The country is investing aggressively in its built environment and this opens the door wide for more sustained growth of the real estate market.”

Gader added: “With more than AED 5.5 billion worth of transactions recorded by the current Dubai real estate market, is appears that 2013 will be the year of revival for real estate industry, on the back of renewed confidence of global and regional investors.”

Gader said that Flash Properties will display projects that are generating significant interest from investors and consolidating the UAE real estate market’s standing as one of the dominant players globally.

A firm with over 100 employees, Flash Properties is a well established real estate company based in Dubai. The company provides a wide range of real estate strategies and solutions in freehold, residential and commercial sector across the UAE.

Gader pointed out that the legal and regulatory authorities in Dubai were playing a phenomenal role in the growth of the real estate sector by coming up with rules and policies in sync with global practices and benchmarks.

Gader added: “Flash Properties is a full-fledged RERA compliant broker. Our rapid growth and success has made us as one of the leading brokers in Dubai real estate market. We strive to build long-term relationship with our clients based on strong principles of trust, respect and integrity.”

He added: “We strive to build long-term relationship with our clients based on strong principles of trust, respect and integrity. We are committed to deliver quality service, professionalism and optimized services that are cost-effective and efficient. Consequently, we empower our team with the necessary training to deliver excellent customer care ensuring total transparency at all times.”

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead race to deploy solar projects

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead race to deploy solar projects

Power projects worth US$155 billion in the pipeline to generate total capacity of 84 GW by 2017

Dubai, UAE, September 2, 2013:
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have emerged as the biggest markets among GCC states for the deployment of solar power, accounting for most of the projects. The six GCC countries altogether have sanctioned solar power installation projects worth approximately US$155 billion, which will generate more than 84 GW of power when complete in 2017.

The Gulf countries will be addressing some of the main challenges related to the deployment of energy projects in desert terrain, at a high-level industry summit, called Gulf Sol 2013, taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from September 3 to 5. The event will feature government and private sector companies discussing ways of effective deployment of solar projects while also showcasing some of the latest international technologies.

At a press conference in Dubai today, Derek Burston, Director of the UK-based Bowmedia, organisers of Gulf Sol 2013, summarized the growth of the GCC photo-voltaic market as “phenomenal”. “Over the years, solar power has been acknowledged as the most promising source of renewable energy and GCC governments have demonstrated their keenness to shift from traditional energy sources to these low-cost and abundant alternatives,” he said.

“Direct radiation in many Middle Eastern countries exceeds 6 kWh per square metre per day, making for excellent solar potential. In addition, recent decreases in the costs of solar technologies coupled with rising electricity demand in these growing nations, if coupled with the right policies, could make the region a hub for solar expansion,” Burston added.

The Emirates Solar Industries Association (ESIA) estimates that the key MENA markets to adopt solar power will be Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait as well as Morocco. All of these countries have potent economic reasons for adopting solar technologies, and none of these nations have been directly affected by recent unrest.
Speaking at the press conference, Marc Norman, Director of Emirates Solar Industries Association, said: “The economics of switching to solar energy in the Middle East is ever more compelling. With oil prices increasing, and solar technology costs plummeting, it is time for governments in the Middle East to turn talk into action.”

Gulf Sol 2013 assumes added significance given that Abu Dhabi has set a goal of generating 7% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and the state-owned renewable energy company, Masdar, has announced that it will invest up to AED6 billion in alternative energy schemes alongside the UK’s Green Investment Bank (GIB). Masdar is currently evaluating solar thermal technology at its Masdar City project and has installed a field of TVP solar thermal panels as a pilot project.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer, hopes to double its installed electricity capacity by building 54 GW of renewable energy (as well as 17.6 GW of nuclear power) by 2032, of which 41 GW will obtained from the sun. Riyadh in Saudi Arabia currently boasts the world's largest solar thermal plant at 36,300 square meters, with commissioning announced in April 2012. The plant provides hot water for an estimated 40,000 students at Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University for Women.

Another major project in the region is Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which aims for 1 GW of PV and CSP generation by 2030. The USD 3.2 billion, 48 square kilometer park is the personal project of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Top agenda at the Gulf Sol 2013 summit includes discussions on feasibility of solar power projects in remote areas, the wide range of unrealized opportunities in the region for international companies and enforceable regulatory and policy frameworks for implementation of solar projects. The event is expected to be attended by more than 5,000 participants from the region and around the world and will be accompanied by interactive workshops by industry leaders.

GulfSol 2013 will also be highlighting the importance of another industry – the glass sector – which has benefited due to the high demand for solar panels. GulfSol 2013 will be held alongside the 5th edition of the popular Gulf Glass 2013 exhibition, the only specialized regional event dealing with the region’s thriving glass industry.
The twin exhibitions will allow the region’s construction and utilities sectors a unique perspective in implementing cost-effective clean energy initiatives in their construction and power projects.

Visitors to the event will be able to meet the world’s leading companies to look at and discuss the latest technologies, products and services. In addition, Gulf Glass and GulfSol have a free to attend knowledge transfer programme (Show TV) a unique forum in which visitors, exhibitors and industry leaders can discuss the glass and solar market in the region.
Some of the top names who have confirmed their participation in the event include 3M, Hyundai, 33 Green Technologies, Apex Power Concepts, Conergy, Hensel Electric Private Ltd, Kingspan, Kipp & Zonen, Robotina Group, LDK Solar Hi-Tech, Millennium Energy Industries, Premier Solar Technologies, Rentech, Spire Solar, Ruth & Rau and Green Lighting.


 
Top Solar Power Projects in the Middle East

• The largest photo-voltaic plant in the region is Enviromena's 10 MW PV plant in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE, which was commissioned in 2009. The plant comprises 50% First Solar CdTe thin-film modules and 50% c-Si technology.
• The most advanced large PV project is likely a 10 MW solar canopy project using CIS modules supplied by Solar Frontier at Saudi Aramco offices. When completed, the Al Midra project will also be the largest carport PV project globally. However, Solar Frontier has not supplied a precise expected completion date.
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia currently boasts the world's largest solar thermal plant at 36,300 square meters, with commissioning announced in April 2012. The plant provides hot water for an estimated 40,000 students at Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University for Women.
• Masdar is also evaluating solar thermal technology at its Masdar City project, and has installed a field of TVP Solar thermal panels as a pilot project.
• Desertec, an ambitious project seeks to build a network of CSP, PV and wind farms across the MENA region and export the electricity to Europe via high-voltage DC lines. This vision is being advanced through both Desertec Industrial Initiative GmbH and the non-profit Desertec Foundation. The Desertec plan has hinged on very large CSP projects and high-voltage DC transmission lines linking the MENA region and Europe, including subsea transmission across the Mediterranean.
• As a leading state in the region for renewable energy development, the UAE is also conducting two ambitious projects, which are confined in geography if not in scale. The largest project announced to date is the USD 3.2 billion, 48 square kilometer Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which aims for 1 GW of PV and CSP generation by 2030.
• Masdar City is currently home to the region's first utility-scale PV plant at 10 MW as well as a pilot solar thermal plant, with plans to expand the solar thermal component.

UAE is Middle East’s Top Brand Building Country

UAE is Middle East’s Top Brand Building Country

• Study reveals more of MENA’s top 50 brands from UAE than anywhere else
• Emirates leads the group of 15 from UAE
• Total value of UAE brands is nearly $15 bn (37% of the MENA total)

Dubai, UAE, 22 June 2013: The UAE has 15 brands out of the top 50 brands in MENA in 2013, with a brand value touching US$ 14.48 billion according to a recent study published by Brand Finance, the world’s largest independent intangible assets and brand valuation consultancy.

According to the study, the value of the UAE brands constitutes 37 percent of the total value of US$ 39.33 billion of the top 50 MENA brands.

Emirates (brand value of US$ 4.1 billion) leads the list, followed by Etisalat (brand value of US$ 3.4 billion). Leading the airlines and telecoms industries in the MENA region, the UAE also dominated the MENA real estate sector with Emaar Properties (brand value of US$ 468 million) and the commercial services sector with DP World (brand value of US$ 681 million).

29 brands out of the 50 are from UAE and KSA, constituting 70% of the total brands’ value in The Middle East, a clear indication of the dominance of the two business power-houses of the Middle East; though KSA comes second with a marginal difference, with a total of 14 brands compared to UAE’s 15 brands, but KSA recorded the highest ever growth of 11% in total brand value.

Hany Mwafy, Managing Director, Brand Finance Middle East said: “With offices in more than 22 countries, Brand Finance publishes tables of the most valuable brands at both the global and regional level, providing crucial insights to brand managers and broader business community. Being the one and only brand valuation study to target the MENA region, the BrandFinance® MENA 50 serves as a benchmark of the Middle East’s top brands.”

According to the study, Etisalat is the most valuable telecom brand in the Middle East, followed by STC. Etisalat’s Saudi brand Mobily had the highest growth at 55%.

“The GCC is still in early stages of developing its own brands organically. However, the pace is accelerating, with Emirates, Etihad, Etisalat, Jumeirah and Al Jazeera leading the way by becoming truly global brands. The recent rebranding of Qtel to Ooreedoo demonstrates the growing self-confidence of GCC brands appealing globally to Arab audiences. Bold marketing actions and big marketing budgets are now driving the organic growth of GCC brands. In the coming year we expect to see further growth in the number of acquired western brands, together with significant organic growth of home grown brands,” Mwafy commented.

This year the Middle East Top 50 witnessed a growth of 5% compared to 2012 which is below the global level of 2013 brands’ value growth at 12%. However, the brand value to enterprise value of total Middle East brands is only 7% compared to the global level of 16%.

Though most of the banks in the Middle East witnessed a drop in their brand value, they still hold dominant positions in the top 50 List: 26 brands out of the top 50 are from the banking sector. QNB leads the way in the 7th place, a remarkable achievement for a brand that was ranked 39th in 2009. Kuwait Finance House saw the highest growth ratio at 67% and Arab Bank was the only brand carrying the Jordanian flag to be featured in the Top 50 Middle East list.

Mwafy added: “Businesses in the Middle East have successfully laid the foundations of strong tangible assets, whether in manufacturing, service or distribution. They must build on their existing successes focusing on the intangibles; emulating local champions such as Emirates, to capture market share, deliver for the global consumer and deliver superior financial performance.

The GCC has some of the wealthiest investors and sovereign wealth funds in the world. GCC has been investing in highly branded US and EU businesses. Shell, Barclays, AMEX, Citi, Harrods, Sainsbury’s, Paris St German and Manchester City are just some of the global brands at the receiving end of GCC investor interest.”

The Brand Finance study was published in the MENA region in collaboration with Virtue PR & Marketing Communications.

Images of Cayan Tower, aka Infinity Tower , Dubai Marina , UAE, 14/June/2013