Amid an unprecedented industrial transformation, steel remains the foundation of MENA’s next growth chapter. With over $3 trillion in active and planned projects and annual regional steel consumption forecast to surpass 65 million tonnes by 2027, the region is cementing its position as a driving force in the global industrial landscape. 

As these dynamics unfold, Middle East Iron & Steel 2025, organised by leading Price Reporting Agency Fastmarkets, will return to Dubai for its 28th edition from November 17 to 19 at Madinat Jumeirah. 

The event will bring together over 1,500 producers, and financiers from over 60 countries for the largest and most powerful gathering of the global iron and steel value chain — where partnerships are forged, deals are made, and industry-defining agreements are cemented.

This year’s edition comes at a defining moment for the steel industry. The EU’s proposal to raise import tariffs to 50% highlights the volatility reshaping global trade and supply chains. In response, MENA’s producers are strengthening their competitive edge, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia channelling major investments into industrial diversification, green-steel capacity and advanced infrastructure.

The regional project pipeline has reached an all-time high, led by Saudi Arabia’s multi-trillion-dollar investments, Egypt’s $565 billion industrial expansion, and the UAE’s $130.8 billion in active and planned construction, alongside large-scale industrial and infrastructure developments in Qatar and Oman. These projects spanning giga-developments, hydrogen facilities, renewable energy plans, ports and smart cities are expected to lift regional steel demand by up to 4% annually through 2027, according to the latest data from Fastmarkets.

As the convener of the steel industry’s most important event in the region, Fastmarkets, a leading price-reporting agency (PRA) and provider of cross-commodity market intelligence, connects global industries through trusted data, analysis and forums that enable informed decision-making. Drawing on its world-class experience in producing large-scale industry events globally, Fastmarkets continues to lead meaningful conversations shaping global market dynamics.

“Steel is the backbone of the MENA growth story, from rail and ports to green hydrogen and smart cities,” said Raju Daswani, CEO of Fastmarkets. “The region’s giga-projects and decarbonisation drive are driving global demand and trade flows. Building on our track record of delivering world-class industry events, we remain deeply committed to the Middle East and its role as one of the world’s most dynamic growth hubs.”

With the region accelerating its industrial ambitions, the UAE continues to stand out as a model of sustainable growth and manufacturing excellence. Emsteel Group, the UAE’s largest steel and building materials manufacturer and regional host sponsor of MEIS 2025, exemplifies that progress, advancing integrated steel production and driving the transition toward low-carbon materials. 

Collectively, the event’s regional and global partners represent more than 38 million tonnes of annual steel and raw material capacity, a combined market value exceeding $35 billion, and export reach spanning over 70 countries. Bringing together leading producers such as Ezz Steel and Al Ashry Steel from Egypt, Hadeed and Al Madina Steel from Saudi Arabia, Metal Park Investment from the UAE, Qatar Steel, SULB from Bahrain, and Champion Iron from Canada, the event convenes the companies shaping the global steel supply chain.

The event will also feature a distinguished lineup of participants and panellists from government, finance and industry producers. Among them are Cyril Duchanois, vice president of decarbonisation, metals at TotalEnergies SE; Harsha Shetty, CEO of Jindal Shadeed Steel; and Rafic Daou, vice chairman and managing director of Suez Steel. -TradeArabia News Service