UAE sets up shop at world's biggest industrial trade show

Manufacturers from the Emirates will display their wares in Germany tomorrow at one of the world's largest industrial trade shows. Companies making drilling equipment, electric motors and precision tools will showcase the UAE as a competitive manufacturing location at the four-day Hannover Messe event. Low transport costs, proximity to Europe and the ease of ordering custom-made products are convincing a growing number of clients to buy "made in the UAE", manufacturers say. Cheap labour and low energy costs also allow some manufacturers to compete with China on pricing.

"People are surprised that we have these kinds of industries in the UAE," said Ali al Ameri, the managing director of Abu Dhabi-based Al Shoumoukh, which makes drilling and production equipment for the oil and gas industry. Mr al Ameri is a UAE national with a 51 per cent stake in Al Shoumoukh. "Yes, it is very difficult to compete, especially with European and North American makers, but compared to Chinese makers our customers can save in shipping costs, and they can easily come and see the products right here," he said.

Emile Alexander, the managing partner of the three-year-old US-UAE joint venture Emcan Electric Motors, said: "I think we can beat the Chinese. They claim to have the lowest cost but in the next 25 years it is all about cheap energy, and we have an abundancy of that over here." @Email:uharnischfeger@thenational.ae