The UAE is set to get an international trade fair for the paints and coatings industry.

Expo Centre Sharjah, the exhibition wing of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is signing up with Nurnberg Messe to host the inaugural Gulf Coatings Show from October 17 to 19, 2022.

Expo Centre Sharjah on Tuesday (September 28) signed a letter of intent with Nurnberg Messe, one of the largest exhibition companies in the world, to bring the global showcase of latest trends and technologies covering all aspects of the manufacturing of paints, coatings, sealants, construction chemicals and adhesives, raw materials, packaging and more to the UAE and the region.

The letter of intent was signed by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah, and Alexander Mattausch, Director of the European Coatings Show, NurnbergMesse, in the presence of Valentina Grasser, Sales European Coatings Show, NurnbergMesse, Thimo Holst, Senior Manager International Events, NurnbergMesse, Kristina Nowak, Director Event Management, Vincentz Network European Coatings Journal,  Jurgen Nowak, Publisher, Vincentz Network European Coatings Journal and Joanne Cook, CEO of Purple Kitchen, the logistics partner’s of Gulf Coating show, UAE.

“We are proud to associate with Nurnberg Messe to serve the industry here, connecting people, companies and supply chains. Nurnberg Messe is a premier name in coatings shows, hosting and managing a globally leading network of exhibitions. The Middle East and the Arabian region is an important market for manufacturers and suppliers from Europe and we aim to provide them a platform from where they can cater to the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe,” said H.E Al Midfa.

The tie-up is part for the launch of two new coatings shows by Nurnberg Messe in the Middle East and South East Asia. The Gulf Coatings Show is sure to make an impressive launch drawing on Nurnberg Messe’s decades of experience in managing shows like the European Coatings Show and providing premium information and networking services covering exhibitions, conferences, seminars, publications and a variety of online options.

Driven by increasing focus on construction, the UAE and the rest of the region have one of the most lucrative paints and coatings markets which would provide the ideal backdrop for the launch of a trade fair featuring the right materials, products, services and technology.

“Apart from construction, the growth of other end-use industries such as architectural, industrial, protective, automotive and transportation is also driving the paints and coatings market expansion. The rise in housing activity, new projects, renovation, government investment in infrastructure projects, rising consumer confidence and spending power are fuelling the demand for coatings products in the region. With the addition of Gulf Coatings Show, we aim to cover a big segment of the construction and related industries in the region.

The construction sector is the backbone of the UAE economy and the industry is expecting rapid growth in the coming years, with nearly US$445 billion of awards on building and infrastructure projects.

Besides, the UAE’s plan to launch a series of economic initiatives to boost the country’s competitiveness and attract US$150 billion in foreign direct investment in the next nine years also augurs well for the industry and the trade fair.