SteelFab 2026 Opens In Sharjah With Over 600 Brands From 35 Countries

SteelFab 2026 opened with strong regional attention as Sharjah hosted the 21st edition of the Middle East and North Africa’s largest metalworking and steel fabrication exhibition. Business visitors assessed how new machinery, automation and digital tools could influence investment plans and capacity decisions across steel, fabrication, construction and wider industrial supply chains.

The event, organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, runs until 15th January. More than 600 local and international brands participate, represented by 350 exhibitors from 35 countries, across 25,000 square metres of display space dedicated to equipment, services and solutions.

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Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman for Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, inaugurated the exhibition and led an extensive tour of the halls. Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi met representatives of participating companies from the UAE, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Turkey, India, Taiwan and Thailand. Accompanying the delegation were Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir and several SCCI board members.

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, other officials and industry stakeholders joined the tour, which included detailed briefings on product ranges and production technologies. Exhibitors presented advanced solutions for steel fabrication, metal cutting, forming and welding, highlighting automation systems and digital controls designed for factories in the UAE and wider export markets.

After the tour, Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi praised the Sharjah Chamber and Expo Centre Sharjah for strengthening SteelFab over the years. Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi said the exhibition holds a solid position among specialised global trade events and reflects Sharjah’s status as a destination for major international industrial gatherings. Sheikh Khaled Al Qasimi described SteelFab as an entry point for manufacturers and suppliers seeking Middle East and North Africa market access.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais highlighted that metalworking and steel fabrication industries are central to the UAE economy, supporting construction, manufacturing and energy projects. Al Owais added that continued growth in exhibitor and visitor numbers signals confidence in the UAE as a regional base for manufacturing operations and specialised trade exhibitions. "SteelFab is a key annual exhibition dedicated to the metalworking sector and a strategic marketplace that brings together industry leaders, including iron and steel manufacturers, suppliers, and investors, while enabling long-term commercial partnerships beyond the exhibition period," he added.

For Expo Centre Sharjah, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa underlined SteelFab 2026 as a strategic platform for contracts, knowledge exchange and long-term alliances. Midfa said the event helps integrate local manufacturers into global steel and fabrication supply chains, widening export routes, supporting scalable growth and aligning with national aims to strengthen the UAE industrial base.

SteelFab steel fabrication metalworking technologies and partnerships

SteelFab 2026 features leading international suppliers of cutting, forming and welding systems alongside regional manufacturers, presenting a wide range of machinery and industrial solutions. Displays include next-generation steel production lines, modern metal forming technologies, low-cost laser cutting equipment and AI-powered manufacturing robots, supported by live demonstrations and a welding competition that emphasises precision skills and professional development.

Business-focused content at SteelFab 2026 includes structured B2B meetings sponsored by "Alaa Al-Din", together with panel sessions and expert discussions involving regional and international stakeholders. Topics cover the future of the iron and steel sector, sustainability practices, market shifts in structural steel and global trends affecting performance, investment choices and the Middle East and North Africa industrial outlook.

SteelFab 2026 therefore operates as a central meeting point for producers, suppliers and investors connected to metalworking and steel fabrication across the region. The exhibition strengthens Sharjah’s profile in business tourism, supports UAE industrial policy priorities and offers industry participants a structured venue to evaluate technologies, close deals and monitor changes in MENA steel demand.

With inputs from WAM