Availability of base metals, a skilled regional and international workforce and flexible financing schemes make Dubai an attractive base for the transport equipment industry.

Over US$ 8 billion in imports within GCC growing at 20% CAGR Ste representing a large portion of the GCC base metals indust production shortfall of 14 million tonnes expected by 2015 to m rising demand. The value of projects planned and under way in Iraq soared by 12.3 per cent to reach $ 182.6bn.

The index is 9.5 per cent on 2008 and the value of projects on hold across the region is $582bn.

Turbines, electric power generation and distribution equipment, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, home appliances, laboratory equipment, material handling machinery, manufacturing equipment and consumer electronics collectively form a large industrial sector in the GCC.

High value-added science and engineering based products are already being distributed throughout the region via Dubai’s world-class logistics and business infrastructure.

Largest import sector in GCC with US$ 23 billion worth of imports in 2002 and growing at 9% CAGR GCC construction equipment market is US$ 1 billion-US$ 1.5 billion.

Demand and prices of metal products are beginning to rise after la: summer’s spectacular collapse with access to cheap gas feedstock, regional producers are boostin their capacity while rivals cut back. – aluminium producers.