Amid an unprecedented wave of industrial transformation, steel remains the foundation of MENA’s next growth chapter.
With more than $3tn 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.
Middle East Iron and Steel 2025 will return to Dubai for its 28th edition from November 17–19 at Madinat Jumeirah. The event will gather more than 1,500 producers and financiers from more than 60 countries, bringing together the global iron and steel value chain where partnerships are forged, deals are made, and industry-defining agreements are shaped.
UAE and Saudi lead project pipeline
This year’s edition arrives at a defining moment for the global steel industry. The EU’s proposal to raise import tariffs to 50 per cent underscores the volatility reshaping international trade and supply chains.
In response, MENA producers are strengthening their competitive edge, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia investing heavily in industrial diversification, green-steel capacity and advanced infrastructure.
The region’s project pipeline has reached an all-time high — led by Saudi Arabia’s multi-trillion-dollar investments, Egypt’s $565bn industrial expansion, and the UAE’s $130.8bn in active and planned construction, alongside major infrastructure and industrial developments in Qatar and Oman.
According to event organiser Fastmarkets, these projects — spanning giga-developments, hydrogen facilities, renewable-energy plants, ports and smart cities — are expected to lift regional steel demand by up to 4 per cent annually through 2027.
Industrial backbone
Raju Daswani, CEO of Fastmarkets, said: “Steel is the backbone of the MENA growth story, from rail and ports to green hydrogen and smart cities.
“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.
Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, said: “The Middle East is shaping a $3tn growth story — and steel remains its backbone. Through our commitment to sustainable production and advanced manufacturing, EMSTEEL continues to supply the materials that build the region’s future, from landmark infrastructure to green-steel initiatives that advance our collective net-zero ambitions.”
Sustainability and finance
Sustainability and finance now sit at the heart of the region’s next industrial wave. Investment in cleaner, circular production is attracting global attention, with the rise of low-carbon and recycled steel signalling both scale and sophistication in MENA’s industrial base.
Catriona Bell, Director of Metals and Mining Transition Finance at Standard Chartered Bank said: “Global investors are seeking markets that balance industrial ambition with accountability. MENA is striking that balance, connecting finance, innovation and policy to drive the next wave of sustainable growth”.
Access to finance and investor confidence are central to scaling low-carbon steel production, supported by robust policy frameworks, abundant energy resources and a growing pipeline of green projects.
Global producers in Dubai
Collectively, the event’s regional and international partners represent more than 38 million tonnes of annual steel and raw-material capacity, with a combined market value exceeding $35bn and export reach across more than 70 countries.
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