The 21st Arab International Cement Conference and Exhibition (AICCE 21) took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 16-18 November 2016. This annual gathering, which incorporates the largest equipment supplier fair in the region, attracted 615 delegates from 136 companies.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) faced a challenging year in 2016, with the Gulf region adjusting to the realities of lower oil prices, Iraq and Syria suffering from ongoing conflicts, and continued security issues suppressing economic activity in Libya and Tunisia.
Nevertheless, discussions throughout the meeting with equipment suppliers and cement producers reveal that a significant level of new investment in the region is still being generated. The range of projects in the pipeline include new plants planned for Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
