The region is undergoing significant infrastructure development, with a substantial number of mega cities and projects in the pipeline. This coupled with the energy transition, is fuelling change and reshaping the GCC and Middle East’s economy. As the economy diversifies, there is a growing focus on developing manufacturing industries. 

• Driving green steel production
• Investments in new steel projects
• Future proofing operations to overcome common challenges – raw materials, shipping, inflation and trade flows

The Middle East is emerging as a global leader in the construction industry, positioned for even greater success in the future. Fuelled by strong economic growth and investment, technological advancements, skilled labour and a vast talent pool. What are some of the current barriers to growth, how can the industries collaborate to overcome the challenges and what is the future outlook?

• Construction with a social conscience
• Economic growth and investment 
• Meeting the needs of rapid urbanisation and population growth 

In a region where the glamour of the Middle East meets the digital realm, the UAE boasts a stellar line-up of influencers making waves across the globe. From beauty gurus to modest fashion entrepreneurs, these social media stars have transcended borders and captivated millions. In a world where social media is everything, how can you leverage their followers to boost your business?

• Discover the best influencer for your business 
• Access new markets and customers
• Create a business for the future 

Analysis and insights indicate that the industry is to undergo substantial growth and transformation, driven by a combination of regional infrastructure development projects, industrial expansion initiatives, and global economic recovery dynamics. Explore the key drivers propelling the growth of the GCC and Middle East steel market, to:

• Protect your business from fluctuating steel prices
• Overcome market competition from global giants
• Benefit from export opportunities 

As the global steel sector decarbonises, DRI production is likely to be decoupled from steel production. More iron ore will be processed in places with available renewable energy sources that can produce cheap green hydrogen. The resulting DRI will be shipped to centres of steel demand. The GCC, Middle East and North Africa may become a global leader in DRI trade, but global competition is growing…

• Ramping up DRI pellet production capacity to meet future demand
• Positioning strategies – the supply of iron ore pellets to nearby DRI plants
• Solar resources enabling the production of cheap green hydrogen

As the first steel plant in the world to achieve carbon neutrality and net-zero in its steelmaking facility, AGSI’s CEO will take the stage to provide in-depth insights at the company’s journey towards accelerating decarbonisation efforts and pioneering new standards for the industry. The session aims to inspire further innovation and provide insights for stakeholders committed to achieving net-zero emissions by taking bold steps towards a decarbonisation with state-of the-art technology and sustainable steel manufacturing operations.

• Advancing the path to net-zero
• Industry wide and regulatory collaboration 
• Aligning corporate strategies with national and international climate policies

Demonstrating the use of green hydrogen – instead of natural gas – to extract iron from iron ore, is a key step in steelmaking. Aspiring to be among the frontrunners to decarbonise the global steel value chain the pioneering project demonstrates how clean energy and heavy industry partners in the UAE are taking urgent action to accelerate decarbonisation. Discover how Masdar and Emirates Steel are:

• Scaling up green steel production 
• Embracing cutting-edge technologies 
• Fostering strategic collaborations

Covering a total land area of 450,000 square metres, the upcoming Metal Park in KEZAD, opening on the 1 December 2024, will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to support storage and handling, processing, and manufacturing activities, in addition to offering access to research and development amenities, rental office space, and associated financial services all in one location. Discover how you can:

• Adapt to market demand without infrastructure constraints
• Leverage technology to streamline your business
• Access a broader target audience and expand your market reach

It is important to inform customers and enhance supply chain transparency. Traceability is a vital aspect in many industries, as it provides a framework to effectively track and, if needed, recall products safely and transparently. Giving your customers full disclosure can help to build and strengthen key relationships, as well has having a positive impact on the environment. 

• Overcoming sensitivities around green premiums
• Ethical sourcing and raw material optimisation
• Shaping a more responsible industry

Sustainability efforts offer the benefit of enhancing competitiveness in the global steel market. Find out how the how the GCC is transforming from the inside, for the outside. What are some of the opportunities in the GCC and how can you avoid the challenges encountered when using steel scrap as raw material? How can sustainable steel scrap close the material loop?

• High levels of impurities hindering widespread adoption
• Lifting of the ban on exports of ferrous scrap
• Advanced purification techniques

In the UAE, equality and empowerment lie at the heart of its success as a nation. It’s a national strategy and the central pillar of its foreign policy. New initiatives are creating opportunities for women to enter leadership positions. Join our inspirational speakers who have paved the way for others to follow in their footsteps, and put the spotlight on:

• Redefining the C-Suite and entrepreneurial leadership in today’s business world
• Helping to shape successful regional growth strategies by embracing Emiratisation and Saudisation
• Diverse perspectives helping to drive innovation and performance, leading to better business outcomes

Traditional motivators like competitive salaries – although still important – are no longer the sole deciding factor for potential employees. How can the industry cultivate a work culture with purposeful positioning to foster social change and help shape the workforce of tomorrow? With fierce competition for talent how can companies recruit candidates with the right skills needed to meet future demand?

• Plugging the skills gap and recruiting for the future
• Upskilling the green energy workforce
• Academies, programmes, mentoring and training

A comprehensive overview of the current scenarios, market insights and forecasting. Regional analysis identifying geographic trends, variations in consumer behaviour, regulatory differences, and competitive landscapes. Predicting future trends and how they will impact the industry globally and regionally.

• Key market players 
• Market intelligence and price data
• Steel production forecasts

China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are set to bolster business relations. China and the GCC countries will further deepen their partnership by leveraging their respective strengths and capitalise on emerging opportunities. What does China’s international strategy look like and with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has the Middle East assumed greater importance?

• Building long-term partnerships
• China’s advanced manufacturing technologies
• Chinese steel production forecast – how will this impact the region?

The last four years have presented a number of obstacles for the industry, from Covid to worldwide conflict and turmoil. With current poli-economical pressures coupled with container challenges and cost, what impact has this had on the industry, and how has it affected profit and loss? Does the supply chain function need to operate more like R&D, requiring more frequent and dynamic actions?  

• Rapid growth in demand for some commodities
• Riding out uncertainties, and actions that you can take to mitigate risk
• Lean logistics – improving efficiency in the supply chain

With significant changes in tariff rates, trade flows will change how steel and aluminium is imported and exported around the world. The steel industry is expected to see a surge in market demand due to increasing infrastructure development and construction projects. On the supply side, steel manufacturers are investing in new technologies and efficiency improvements to meet this growing demand.

• Cross border trade and changes to trade flows
• Fundamental shifts to DRI/HBI trade flows
• Twin objectives – Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (GASSA) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

The UAE is determined to consolidate its position as an important – and non-aligned – geoeconomic player. Increasingly, the country is aiming to strike a careful balance between its key trade and investment partners and pursue new opportunities. What impact have the economic shocks of post-pandemic protectionism and restrictions on trade had on the UAE? 

• The geography of Emirati geoeconomics
• UAE’s move away from the dollar, sanctions and export controls
• The risks and opportunities 

Investor demand for ESG-linked financing has surged and interest has picked up in the Gulf and wider Middle East, with increasing opportunities to invest in projects linked to sustainability and energy transition. Fuelling a green revolution through strategic financing enables steelmakers to accelerate efforts towards significant carbon footprint reduction and reinforces the commitment to sustainable practices in the steel industry.

• Demand creation from the government 
• Shariah compliant Investments
• Rounds of funding for different phases 

International Financial Institutions (IFIs) play a key role in helping to set in motion the transition to green steel in the region, helping to de-risk first movers and aiding governments to set ambitions, pathways, policy frameworks, and standards. IFIs can also directly support the development of green steel value chains by investing in green hydrogen production projects, by helping to create demand for green steel through IFI investments in infrastructure projects, and through continued support of utility scale renewables needed for the electrification of industrial processes.

• The reality of competing for capital investments
• How to engage with suitable investors
• Accelerating investments to increase steel capacity

Creating a flexible roadmap to evolve as technology and innovation improve. Searching for, and supporting, growth and market needs. Technology advancements can lead to streamlined operations, increasing efficiency, and the reduction of the environmental impact. Resilient and agile business models can:

• Mitigate risk with partnerships and collaboration 
• Enable the implementation of new procedures and engage key stakeholders
• Utilise technology and data analytics

Innovative technologies for primary steel production need to be deployed at commercial scale before 2030. Innovations such as automated robotic systems, advanced monitoring sensors, and data analytics have significantly improved the quality and consistency of steel products. What are some of the innovations on the horizon and what are some of the methods of implementation?

• Piloting and testing technologies 
• One, or a combination of solutions?
• Human-machine collaboration

Unlocking the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to help organisations blend AI and cutting-edge solutions with strategic thinking. 

• How is AI currently being used?
• Government initiatives and policy support
• Challenges and strategic needs