Arab Union cement conference underway in Cairo

The 20th Arab International Cement Conference & Exhibition (AICCE) opened on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.

Taking place under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister Eng Sherif Ismail, the inaugural session included speeches from Prince Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saud Al Kabir, chairman of the AUCBM Board (pictured right) and Tarek Kabil, Minister of Industry for Egypt. Each recognised the economic contribution of the cement industry in the Arab world and its responsibility towards the ongoing improvement of environmental stewardship.

Over 500 delegates from 35 countries have congregated in Cairo for the three-day meeting, which is the largest annual gathering for the cement industry in the Middle East and North Africa.

Uncertainties surrounding travel to and from Egypt, a week after militants claimed responsibility for downing a Russian airliner over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, have not impacted AICCE 2015 attendance. Nevertheless, it has highlighted issues regarding Egypt's security, which will in turn have consequences for the country's vital tourism industry and economy.

The event comprises a large technical exhibition with many of the leading technology suppliers represented, hopeful of capitalising on the ongoing expansion and modernisation of the industry in the region.

The meeting is sponsored by ASEC (Egypt), the Cairo-based international engineering and management company, which is celebrating 40 years as a leading service supplier to the cement industry in the Middle East and Africa region.