Middle East needs to invest USD 18 billion on new pipelines

The Middle East will need to invest around USD 18 billion over the next five years in new pipelines and associated infrastructure to ensure a high volume to weight ratio, according to a global energy agency.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is expected to add more than 21,000 kilometres to its current pipeline network over the next five years, approximately 14 per cent of the global planned pipeline network of 161,000 kilometres, organisers of the Tube Arabia, Metal Middle East and Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting (AEWC) shows said.
According to International Energy Agency, besides having the largest concentration of world's energy resources, the Middle East alone would need to invest around USD 18 billion over the next five years in new pipelines and associated infrastructure, ensuring a high volume to weight ratio.

"Expansion of the region's population and investments would require more and more manufacturers of metal products, mainly tubes and pipes and related solutions like welding," said Satish Khanna, General Manager Al Fajer Information and Services, during top trade and industrial shows held here.
The shows, dedicated to the sheet metal, welding, machine tools, die molds and tubes sector, run at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Trade Arabia reported.
"During the first two days, major decision makers visited the shows to explore potential trade deals and widen their knowledge about latest solutions and technologies," he said.

He said the UAE had manufacturing facilities to produce three times the local demand.

"More and more buyers from around the region find the UAE market a fertile buying spot, not only because it has the production capacity but also it enables transfer of new technologies to the region," Khanna said.
"We have decided to be part of Tube Arabia as it offers a chance for interacting with industry peers. This will help Ajmal to identify scope for betterment in all the fields to meet the market demand and expectations," said Anil Chandwani, CEO, Ajmal steel Tubes and Pipes and Industries, one of UAE's leading manufacturing companies.