Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, inaugurated the 21st edition of SteelFab on Monday, marking the opening of the Middle East and North Africa’s largest exhibition for the metalworking and steel fabrication industries.
Organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the exhibition runs until January 15 and brings together more than 600 leading local and international brands, with 350 exhibitors from 35 countries. Spanning 25,000 square metres, SteelFab 2026 showcases cutting-edge innovations and technologies shaping the future of the steel and metalworking sector.
Sheikh Khaled conducted an official tour of the exhibition, engaging with exhibitors and corporate representatives and receiving briefings on advanced products and modern technologies applied across the steel and iron industry.
The tour highlighted innovations in steel fabrication and metalworking from global leaders based in the UAE, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Turkey, India, Taiwan, and Thailand, alongside prominent regional and local enterprises.
He was accompanied by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Expo Centre Sharjah; Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI; and SCCI board members. Also present were Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah; Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority and Sharjah Airport International Free Zone; as well as senior officials and industry stakeholders.
Following the tour, Sheikh Khaled praised the efforts of the Sharjah Chamber and Expo Centre Sharjah in advancing SteelFab’s global standing, noting its position among the world’s leading specialised trade events. He emphasised Sharjah’s growing role as a destination for high-profile international exhibitions and highlighted Expo Centre Sharjah’s ability to attract top global players in metalworking.
He described SteelFab as a vital platform that enables metal-forming manufacturers and suppliers to expand their regional presence and penetrate key MENA markets.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said the metalworking and steel fabrication industries are pivotal to the UAE economy, underpinning construction, manufacturing, and energy supply chains. He described SteelFab as a strategic marketplace that connects manufacturers, suppliers, and investors while enabling long-term commercial partnerships beyond the exhibition period.
Al Owais added that rising exhibitor and visitor participation reflects growing confidence in the UAE’s position as a regional hub for manufacturing and specialised exhibitions.
Saif Mohammed Al Midfa said the exhibition serves as a strategic platform for deal-making, knowledge exchange, and partnership-building with global industry leaders. He noted that SteelFab facilitates the integration of local manufacturers into global supply chains, creating scalable growth opportunities while reinforcing national industrial development goals.
This year’s edition features global leaders in cutting, forming, and welding technologies alongside regional manufacturers. Exhibits include next-generation steel production equipment, advanced metal-forming systems, low-cost laser cutting solutions, and AI-powered manufacturing robots, supported by live demonstrations of operational performance.
The exhibition also hosts a welding competition to promote skills development and professional excellence in precision manufacturing.
SteelFab 2026 includes structured B2B meetings and expert-led panels addressing the future of the iron and steel sector, sustainability frameworks, market shifts, and global trends influencing industry performance and investment.
