SAEED AL MASHARFI
MUSCAT, OCT 8
Under the auspices of Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the 18th Arab Steel Summit and the International Iron and Steel Exhibition commenced at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The two-day event brought together senior officials, decision-makers, experts, producers and innovators from various countries.
The strong turnout reflects the Summit’s status as the region’s premier steel industry event, attracting over 600 participants from 300 international companies representing 20 nationalities, along with 40 speakers comprising industry leaders and experts from the Arab world and beyond. This establishes the Summit as a pivotal platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing the latest developments in the steel sector.
In his speech, Qais al Yousef welcomed participants from across the globe, stressing that the steel sector holds a central position due to its vital role in enabling infrastructure, energy and logistics sectors, while also being closely linked to pressing global issues — foremost among them the transition to a low-carbon economy. He highlighted that the steel industry in Oman is among the most promising industrial sectors, contributing around 2% to the national GDP, attracting investments worth billions of dollars and accounting for nearly 40% of the Sultanate of Oman’s total industrial exports.
The Summit addressed key themes including growth strategies, technological innovations and models of regional and international cooperation, all aimed at ensuring greater sustainability and competitiveness in the steel industry. The programme featured high-level conferences, strategic panel discussions, specialised workshops and an international exhibition presenting the latest technologies and services in the field.
For his part, Eng Ahmed Ezz, Chairman of the Arab Iron and Steel Union, underlined the importance of Arab cooperation and the exchange of expertise between governments and decision-makers. He noted that the fast-evolving challenges related to energy, technology and environmental pressures call for unified visions and joint strategies to safeguard the industry’s competitiveness. He added that the Summit represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen ties between Arab governments and industry leaders and to build new partnerships that open wider horizons for investment and innovation.
The event stands out as a key platform to highlight the Arab world’s role in the global steel industry, by promoting regional cooperation, encouraging joint investments and supporting the shift towards sustainability and a greener, more efficient economy.
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