Cairo Hosts Inaugural Wire & Tube Middle East Africa Launch
Representatives from 383 companies across 19 nations—including the UK, France, Austria, Belgium, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Morocco, the USA, Germany, and Egypt—set up booths to introduce technologies tailored for the MENA region's infrastructure and industrial expansion. AGEX, the long-standing organiser behind METAL & STEEL EGYPT since 2010, partnered with Messe Düsseldorf to maximise regional synergies and draw international attention.
Event organisers reported that over 7,000 professionals attended the three-day exhibition, roughly 10 per cent of whom travelled internationally. The show floor buzzed with activity as visitors explored site demonstrations, networked with equipment manufacturers, and evaluated cutting-edge production solutions.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Messe Düsseldorf, the satellite fairs are strategically positioned within a broader expansion across North Africa and adjacent regions. CEO Wolfram N. Diener emphasised Egypt's dual role as a major home market and gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa. He also highlighted Cairo's appeal as a springboard for growth across various industries—specifically casting, metallurgy, tube and pipe production, and wire and cable manufacturing.
Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director of Trade Fairs at Messe Düsseldorf, underscored a collaborative dialogue with Egypt's Ministry of Trade and Industry. In April, a meeting was held between Minister Ahmed Samir Saleh and Jablonowski, focusing on intensifying cooperation on exhibition infrastructure and cross-border trade projects.
Messe Düsseldorf's North Africa push follows earlier successful ventures, such as pacprocess MEA in 2019 and FoodAfrica Cairo in 2022, each drawing over 25,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors. The combination of these established events with the new metal, wire and tube platforms reflects a strategy to deepen integration across the industrial value chain—from food and packaging to heavy machinery.
Eyewitnesses described the hall as 'energetic', with meaningful conversations between attendees and exhibitors about Egypt's booming construction and infrastructure agenda. Delegates from across Africa, the Middle East and Europelined the aisles at booths showcasing automation technologies, environmental efficiency protocols, and sensor-based quality control tools for wire, cable and tube production.
Daniel Ryfisch, director overseeing the 'Bright World of Metals' portfolio for Messe Düsseldorf, highlighted abundant opportunities emerging from Egypt's push into renewable energy, pipeline fabrication, and industrial modernisation.
Organisers confirmed that a second edition of the combined fairs is scheduled for early 2025 in Cairo. Specific dates will be finalised in consultation with AGEX and aligned with Messe Düsseldorf's international metal portfolio. Exhibitor registrations are already open, with deadlines due 16 May 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Zawya
SICO reports BD 2.9mln (USD 7.7mln) net profit attributable to shareholders for the first half of 2025
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – SICO BSC (c), licensed as a conventional wholesale bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain 'CBB', announced today its consolidated results for the second quarter and six months ended 30 June 2025. For the quarter, SICO's consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders grew 16% year-on-year, to record BD 1.5 million (USD 4 million) in the second quarter of 2025 compared to BD 1.3 million (USD 3.5 million) recorded in the same three-month period of last year. The improvement is mostly related to the increase in net investment income during the quarter compared to the corresponding period last year, due to favourable global market conditions. Earnings per share (EPS) recorded 3.73 Bahraini fils in the second quarter of the year versus 3.23 Bahraini fils in the comparable quarter of 2024. SICO reported total comprehensive income of BD 1.7 million (USD 4.5 million) for the second quarter of 2025, compared to a total comprehensive income of BD 1.2 million (USD 3.2 million) booked in the same quarter of last year, representing an increase of 39%. Total operating income for the second quarter of 2025 increased by 17% to BD 5.7 million (USD 15.2 million) as compared to BD 4.9 million (USD 13.0 million) achieved in the same period of the previous year. On a year-to-date basis, SICO recorded consolidated net profits attributable to shareholders for the first six months of 2025 amounting to BD 2.9 million (USD 7.7 million), representing an 8% decline from the BD 3.2 million (USD 8.4 million) recorded in the first half of 2024. This decrease was primarily driven by lower brokerage activities during the period, reflecting reduced investor appetite for trading amid prevailing market uncertainty. EPS were 7.15 Bahraini fils for the first six months of 2025 compared to 7.77 Bahraini fils for the same period of 2024. SICO reported total comprehensive income of BD 3.1 million (USD 8.1 million) for the first half of 2025, as compared to a total comprehensive income of BD 3.0 million (USD 8.0 million) booked in the first six months of 2024, reflecting a 2% increase. Total equity attributed to shareholders stood at BD 73.8 million (USD 195.7 million) as of 30 June 2025 a slight decrease by 0.3% compared to BD 74 million (USD 196.2 million) recorded at year-end 2024, noting that a dividend of BD 3.2 million (USD 8.5 million) was paid to the equity shareholders for the year 2024, during the first quarter of 2025, while total assets increased 29% to BD 531.6 million (USD 1.4 billion) as 30 June 2025, up from BD 411.2 million (USD 1.1 billion) as of year-end 2024. SICO's net fee income recorded BD 5.5 million (USD 14.7 million), a 16% increase from BD 4.8 million (USD 12.7 million) achieved in the first half of 2024. Furthermore, net investment income stood at BD 2.1 million (USD 5.6 million) in the first six months of 2025, increasing 40% from BD 1.5 million (USD 4.0 million) last year. Meanwhile, Brokerage and other income dropped 22% to BD 1.6 million (USD 4.1 million) compared to BD 2 million (USD 5.3 million) in first half of 2024, due to market volatility resulting from tariff uncertainty in late April and heightened geopolitical tensions in June 2025. On a gross basis (including leverage) SICO's assets under management (AUMs) rose 9% to BD 3.0 billion (USD 8.0 billion) in the first half of the year compared to BD 2.8 billion (USD 7.4 billion) at year-end 2024. The growth in AUMs was driven by expansion in client base together with additional inflow from existing clients across asset classes. Chairman of the Board of SICO, Abdulla Kamal, commented on SICO's second quarter performance, saying, 'SICO's performance in the second quarter of 2025 reflects the strength of our diversified platform and our ability to navigate evolving market conditions with discipline and foresight. Despite a more challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, we have continued to deliver value through a prudent investment approach focused on generating positive returns while managing elevated risk levels. This reflects our firm commitment to our strategic objectives, which aim to drive sustainable long-term growth for our clients and shareholders. Our consistent recognition by global institutions is a testament to the trust we've built with our clients and stakeholders, and to the strategic clarity that guides our decisions. Group Chief Executive Officer of SICO, Najla Al-Shirawi, added, 'We are pleased with our second quarter performance, driven by robust investment returns and sustained momentum across our core business lines. Surpassing USD 8 billion in assets under management is a major milestone, reinforces our commitment to delivering long-term value to our clients. We also recorded strong growth across all revenue streams, including investment income, asset management fees, and investment banking revenues. Our balance sheet remains robust, and with a healthy liquidity position, we remain well-positioned to capture future growth opportunities as markets continue to evolve.' SICO was honored with multiple accolades in 2025, including Best Investment Bank in Bahrain at the Global Finance World's Best Investment Banks Awards for the sixth consecutive year, and Best MENA Fixed Income Strategy (1 Year) for 2024 by the Global Banking & Markets Middle East Awards. At the Euromoney Awards 2025, SICO was also named Best Investment Bank and Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion in Bahrain. The firm remains the Kingdom's leading broker, holding an 89% market share as of June 2025, and has been the most active market maker for 26 consecutive years. SICO is listed on Bahrain Bourse ('BHB') and its code is SICO-C. The press release and full set of financial statements will be available on SICO and BHB websites. -Ends- About SICO SICO is a leading regional asset manager, broker, and investment bank with USD 8.0 billion in assets under management (AUM). Today, SICO operates under a wholesale banking licence from the Central Bank of Bahrain and also oversees two wholly owned subsidiaries: an Abu Dhabi-based brokerage firm, SICO Invest, and a full-fledged capital markets services firm, SICO Capital, based in Saudi Arabia. Headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain with a growing regional and international presence, SICO has a well-established track record as a trusted regional bank offering a comprehensive suite of financial solutions, including asset management, brokerage, investment banking, and market making, backed by a robust and experienced research team that provides regional insight and analysis of more than 90 percent of the region's major equities. Since inception in 1995, SICO has consistently outperformed the market and developed a solid base of institutional clients. Going forward, the bank's continued growth will be guided by its commitments to strong corporate governance and developing trusting relationships with its clients. The bank will also continue to invest in its information technology capabilities and the human capital of its 150 exceptional employees. Media Contact: Ms. Nadeen Oweis Head of Corporate Communications, SICO Email: noweis@
Tahawul Tech
18 hours ago
- Tahawul Tech
Iraq's Ministry of Interior upgrades Emergency Response with Hytera SmartOne Platform
Hytera Communications, a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions, has successfully deployed its SmartOne Unified Communication Platform to support the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MOI) in overhauling Baghdad's emergency services. The landmark project, launched in 2024, introduces a centralised 911 emergency call centre—marking a pivotal advancement in public safety communications for Iraq's capital city. Previously reliant on a fragmented network of 26 separate emergency numbers, the MOI sought to unify these under a single, cohesive emergency response system. Hytera's SmartOne solution integrates various communication technologies—ranging from DMR and TETRA radio systems to body camera feeds—into one platform, enabling seamless coordination between police, fire, and medical services across Baghdad. The solution includes a fully integrated 911 call centre with over 300 operator seats. The platform supports emergency call intake, case creation, real-time situational tracking, and dispatch across multiple agencies. The implementation also features advanced modules such as computer-aided dispatch (CAD), visualised command and GIS mapping, duty and patrol management, incident analytics, and mobile police applications. Together, these tools significantly improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation, and reduce emergency response times. 'This project, which is the first of its kind in Iraq, represents a quality move in digital transformation and modern communications, enforcement of security and the provision of legal and humanitarian services', said Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani. The system's microservice-based architecture ensures high scalability and resilience, while its data-driven backend allows the MOI to continuously evaluate performance through call logs, incident trends, and proactive alerts. These features enable informed decision-making and adaptive strategy development in response to the city's evolving safety needs. Since its launch, the platform has demonstrated impressive capability, handling approximately 100,000 calls on its first day of operation. The new 911 infrastructure sets a precedent for conflict-affected regions aiming to modernize their emergency response systems through integrated technology. Notably, this project has been shortlisted by the International Critical Communications Awards (ICCAs) 2025 as a finalist for the Best Use of Critical Communications in Public Safety award. The nomination highlights the transformative impact of this initiative on public safety communications and further underscores the project's international recognition for excellence. Image Credit: Hytera Communications
Zawya
19 hours ago
- Zawya
Cost excellence critical to driving industrial resilience in UAE
United Arab Emirates – As the UAE accelerates its industrial diversification under Operation 300bn, global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has released a new whitepaper urging industrial companies to place cost excellence at the heart of their operating model. With growing investment in manufacturing, materials, and downstream processing, the UAE's industrial base is poised for long-term growth. It will also play a key role in delivering national diversification and sustainability targets. However, according to A&M, rapid growth must be matched with disciplined financial planning, transparency, and cost ownership at every level of the organization. The firm notes that adopting structured financial frameworks can help companies seize emerging opportunities and ensure operational excellence as the sector matures. The UAE has already laid strong foundations. Strategic initiatives such as the Make it in the Emirates campaign and the In-Country Value (ICV) program have created a dynamic, investor-friendly environment. With activity accelerating across advanced manufacturing, metals, and energy-linked industries, industrial development is becoming a catalyst for wider economic transformation. 'The UAE's industrial sector is central to the country's economic diversification strategy,' said Alexander Shvets, Managing Director, Infrastructure & Capital Projects - Metals & Mining, Alvarez & Marsal Middle East. 'Building on this momentum with embedded cost visibility and performance tracking will help operators achieve global competitiveness and long-term value creation.' Renat Akimbitov, Managing Director, Infrastructure & Capital Projects – Metals and Mining, Alvarez & Marsal Middle East, added: 'Cost control is not just a finance function - it's an operational discipline. In capital-intensive industries, real-time cost visibility and team capability are what turn strategy into measurable results.' Global Best Practices for Financial Resilience In its latest Middle East report, Optimizing Cost Control in the Industrial Sector, A&M outlines a proactive four-part strategy for mining and industrial companies to strengthen financial resilience: Activity-Based Budgeting: Tying budgets directly to operational drivers for greater accuracy and agility. Real-Time Cost Visibility Platforms: Empowering leaders with digital dashboards to manage costs dynamically. Structured Cost Review Meetings: Ensuring accountability through regular performance tracking. Cost Capability Building: Equipping teams with practical tools and training to foster a cost-conscious culture. The A&M report notes how companies in the region may achieve significant improvements by employing the strategy, including substantive reductions in operating costs and widespread adoption of cost insights in decision-making processes. From Extraction to Industrial Empowerment The UAE's industrial vision extends beyond raw material sourcing. Investments in downstream infrastructure - including smelting, refining, and manufacturing facilities - are reducing import dependency and strengthening industrial self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, mega-projects in logistics, energy, and infrastructure are driving unprecedented demand for cost-efficient, locally produced materials. At the same time, the industry is evolving. Global stakeholders increasingly expect mining operations to demonstrate a capacity to focus on cost discipline and a reliance on local resources, combined with data-led innovation. According to A&M, this presents an opportunity to create a forward-looking, globally respected industry. About Alvarez & Marsal Founded in 1983, Alvarez & Marsal is a leading global professional services firm. Renowned for its leadership, action and results, Alvarez & Marsal provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services, delivering practical solutions to address clients' unique challenges. With a world-wide network of experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities, Alvarez & Marsal helps corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies drive transformation, mitigate risk and unlock value at every stage of growth. To learn more, visit: CONTACT: Louise Coleen Magahis Hanover Middle East
