SBB Events, Middle East Steel Conference, Dubai networking event

Much of the Middle East and North Africa region suffers from a lack of domestic steel-making raw materials and so there is little to support it as the world’s principal miners hike their prices for iron ore. In 2008, many buyers were also hit by astronomical prices for rebar, and in 2009 by a slower pace of growth.

Facing up to these turbulent markets, the region’s industry is maturing quickly. However opportunities for further investment in the sector continue to multiply. In this, our 4^th Steel Markets Middle East conference, SBB is inviting readers and others to discuss the regional industry’s responses to today’s volatile, yet demanding times.

*programme subject to change

Day 1 - Monday, September 20 2010
09:00	Registration
10:20	Welcome Address
	Mr Bijan Farhangi, Operations Director LATAM, Steel Business Briefing
10:30	Keynote Session: Setting the Scene: The rise in raw material prices and its effects on finished product markets Early 2010 saw surging iron ore, scrap and coking coal prices have a strong knock-on effect on steel prices; this was despite slow demand in many regions. In addition, the mining companies took advantage of tightness in the market to introduce quarterly or other shorter term contracts. Experts and others will discuss how these changes will affect the stability of the steel market, and its recovery from the recession.
	How Have MENA Steel Markets Emerged From The Downturn..And What Does The Fututre Hold? Mr George Matta, Marketing Director, Ezz Steel Rebars Co.
	EMIRATES STEEL Mr A.N. Venkat, Vice President Sales, Emirates Steel Industries
	SBB – Steel Markets Middle East Mr Afshin Khiabani, Head of Trade Division, Adpico
12:00	Lunch
13:30	Session 2: How is the industry coping with the effects of soaring raw material prices? Has 2010 seen a repeat of the steel pricing froth which hit the Middle East market in the first half of 2008? Local market players will discuss the effects of higher (and potentially lower) raw material prices on the costs, supply, demand and steel prices in the region.
	How steel trading companies are reacting to the effects of soaring raw material prices? Mr Livio Rimoldi, Middle East / Far East Area Director, Carbofer
	How is the industries coping with the effects Dr Bhaskar Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jazeera Steel Products Co. S.A.O.G.
	How are Producers, Traders and End Users Coping with the effects of soaring raw material prices Mr Abu Bucker Husain, Chief Executive Officer, Al Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC
	All Change in Raw Material Markets –and the Implications for Steel Mr Mark Wiggett, Manager, The Steel Index
15:15	Coffee Break
15:45	Session 3: Local economic development and investment in steel Despite the recent upheavals in the upstream and downstream steel markets, regional economic development has continued apace, given the prospect of higher global oil and gas prices. Middle East demand for steel products is being driven not only by hydrocarbons, but also by other infrastructure regional projects, for example in railways and ports. This strong internal demand has helped reduce some of the imbalances that the local steel markets have faced in the last year or two.”
	The Middle East Seamless Supply & Demand&An update on JESCO (Jubail Energy Mr John Blomberg, Director , Duferco SA
	GROWTH & POTENTIAL IN STEEL INDUSTRY Dr Sudarshan Singh, Chairman, ANT Steel Engineers (Asia) Pvt. Limited
	Mr Hamad S. Al-Tassan, General Manager, Technology Management, Metal SBU, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
	The Dynamics of OCTG Markets Mr Duncan Pell, Commercial Director, Interpipe
17:30	Evening Reception

Day 2 - Tuesday, September 21 2010
09:00	Keynote Session 2: Steel trade inside and outside the region The Middle East market is becoming more mature with balanced production and demand volumes. In some cases, it is even developing an export market. How will steel trade within the GCC countries and elsewhere in the region develop in the next few years? Will there be restrictions on imports, or will the Middle East remain open to trade?
	Istanbul Iron and Steel Exporters Association Mr Ugur Dalbeler, CEO, Colakoglu Metalurji A.S.
	Mr Hadi Hami, Senior International Steel Trader , Alam Steel Ltd
	International Steel Trading In The Light Of Global Economıic Facts Mr Görkem Bolaca, Sales Manager Steel Division, LN Metals International Ltd
	Mr Revinipati Sridhar, Chief Sales , Essar Steel
10:30	Coffee Break
11:00	Panel Session: Global overcapacity and the Middle East market Given the recent upheavals in the economy, and the volatility in raw material prices and steel production costs, what are the comparative strengths of regional steel makers? How valid is the DRI-EAF low carbon route for the region? Overcapacity seems likely to continue for many years – to what extent would consumers in the Middle East benefit from lower prices by continuing to import their finished steel? Chairman: Mr John Short
	Mr Hamad S. Al-Tassan, General Manager, Technology Management, Metal SBU, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
	Mr Görkem Bolaca, Sales Manager Steel Division, LN Metals International Ltd
	Mr Duncan Pell, Commercial Director, Interpipe
	Mr Mark Wiggett, Manager, The Steel Index
12:30	Closing Remarks
12:45	Lunch