In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Ladies and Gentlemen, participating in the Steel Summit 2023
Firstly, I would like to extend, in my own name and on behalf of the Arab Iron and Steel Union, many thanks and appreciation:
To His Excellency the Minister of Trade and Industry of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Eng. Ahmed Samir, for honoring him by sponsoring the work of this summit. I also extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Eng. Ahmed Ezz, Chairman and Founder, Ezz Steel, the host company for the Arab Steel Summit, and its sincere cooperation to create the best conditions for the holding of this summit, which has become It is one of the largest steel conferences in the Middle East, which brings together the summits of iron and steel manufacturers in the Arab world.
Thanks also go to the heads of the union’s member companies for their continued support and permanent participation in the various activities organized by the union.
Thanks also go to the sponsoring and exhibiting companies and all the participants who responded to the invitation to attend this Arab international exhibition.
Ladies and gentlemen
I would like to welcome you all to this important annual event that brings together the largest players in the iron and steel industry in the Arab region. This conference represents a valuable opportunity for all of us to learn about the current status of our industry and the latest developments and innovations in this vital sector, which plays an essential role in the development of the economy and industry in our Arab world.
The Arab countries have come a long way in the steel industry, and Arab industrial companies based on the production of iron and steel are still developing this industry in order to take its natural position as an element of economic and social stability in the Arab world.
This goal is a challenge in light of global and regional changes, as the growth of this industry in recent years was largely dependent on huge government grassroots projects that encouraged and supported the local industry.
Today, Arab iron and steel companies must change their concept of relying on local markets, no matter how long it takes, and work to develop their products with the latest innovations and technologies to be able to compete and enter new markets in light of the new global environmental restrictions that will limit the export capabilities of non-compliant Arab companies within the 2030 deadlines. .
Therefore, we are committed to working together to deal with these challenges and turn them into opportunities for development and integration between us in order to achieve our ability to create an alternative Arab regional market that meets the ambitions of all Arab steel companies in light of the global regional blocs we are witnessing.
All of these theses will be discussed here in the sessions of this conference, which, with God’s help, will be exciting and useful and will include:
Arab steel markets in light of regional and global economic and geopolitical fluctuations.
Are there still opportunities for investment in the iron and steel sector in Arab countries in light of the dominance of traditional products in local markets?
A workshop for international technology owners in the iron and steel sector to learn about the latest developments and innovations in this vital sector.
Identify successful Arab experiences in green steel and the stages that must be followed to reach this goal.
Proposing new ideas to benefit as soon as possible from untapped Arab mines to achieve self-sufficiency in iron ore.
Finally, a special session on training to study the appropriate conditions to attract tires and a new generation of graduates who love this industry.
Ladies and gentlemen
I wish you all a fruitful and useful participation in this conference, and I look forward to benefiting from your experiences and valuable opinions to work together to strengthen the iron and steel industry in the Arab world and build a promising future for this vital sector. We hope that the Union’s efforts will focus on developing this industry.
Thank you all, and may God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you
Secretary-General's speech At the 16th Arab Steel Summit
Dr. Kamel Djodui - Secretary General
Iron and steel industry in the Arab region
Iron and steel industry in the Arab region
Global Economy Challenges :
Events have accelerated after the Corona pandemic, and the world faces many challenges today, including: Geopolitical situations Tight monetary policies. Obstacles to persistent inflation A decline in the investments’ volume High energy prices Commitment to global environmental standards The real estate sector in China declines
A decline in the global economic growth rate from 6.0% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2022 and 2.8% in 2023
Crude steel production in the world 2021-2023
Steel consumption in the world 2021-2023
Crude steel production in major countries of the world in 2021-2023
Steel consumption in major countries of the world in 2021-2023
A decline in all indicators of steel production and consumption in 2022 and stability in 2023, except for India
China’s steel production and consumption decline
The global steel industry was affected by:
The Russian-Ukrainian war
Economic war between the United States and China
High energy prices
The severe crisis in the real estate sector in China
Crude steel production in the Arab countries in 2021-2023
Steel consumption in the Arab countries in 2021 -2023
An increase in the economic growth rate of the Arab region, which reached 5.6% in 2022
The growth rate decreases to 3.4% in 2023
Steel consumption increased by 11% between 2021 and 2022
Consumption declined by 7.5% between 2022/2023 due to:
The volume of new basic projects decreased due to the decline in oil prices
Completion of major basic projects that contributed significantly to growth 21/22
High interest rates
Increased inflation
Production and consumption indicators are expected to improve in 2024 with the resumption of suspended projects and an increase in production capacities in Egypt, Algeria and Saudi Arabia.
General overview of steel industry in the Gulf Area
Crude steel production in Gulf Area in 2021-2023
Steel consumption in Gulf Area in 2021 -2023
The growth rate in the region declined from 7.1% in 2022 to 3.4% in 2023.
Saudi Arabia’s economy is the principal driver of the region’s economy
The region’s consumption of steel products decline by 4.8% in 2023 as a result of :
Completion and postponement of some government projects
A significant increase in interest rates in Saudi Arabia
Encouraging bank deposits on investment accounts in real estate
The UAE, the Sultanate of Oman, and Kuwait maintained their steel consumption rates in 2023
Steel consumption is expected to increase in 2024, driven by:
Diversification of the economy in Saudi Arabia.
The real estate sector is recovering in the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman.
Launching medium-term projects, such as a railway project to connect the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Launching major new commercial projects in Qatar.
General overview of steel industry in North Africa
Crude steel production in North Africa in 2021-2023
Steel consumption in North Africa in 2021 -2023
Stability in the economic growth rate in North African countries in 2023 at 4%.
The economic growth rate of some countries declined as a result of the increase in inflation and the decline of the local currency.
A decline in the volume of consumption of steel products by 20% in 2023 due to:
Completion of existing residential projects in Algeria.
Postponing some basic projects under implementation
Rationalization of expenses and setting priorities.
Some steel companies resorted to exporting to obtain foreign currency to meet their needs for raw materials.
Production and consumption indicators will improve in 2024 with the resumption of suspended projects and an increase in production capacities in both Egypt and Algeria.
General overview of steel industry in Eastern Mediterranean
Crude steel production in Eastern Mediterranean in 2021-2023
Steel consumption in Eastern Mediterranean in 2021 -2023
The economy of the Eastern Mediterranean region is complex and diverse, ranging from a developing economy to a stable and turbulent economy.
Economic growth from 3.0% in 2021 to 4.6% in 2022 and back to 3.0% in 2023.
Steel consumption in the Eastern Mediterranean region increased by 13% between 2021/2022 and stabilized between 2022/2023.
Iraq leads the iron and steel industry in the Eastern Mediterranean region with 50% of consumption and 88% of production.
The stability of Syria will be an incentive for new investments and reconstruction, and thus, the volume of steel consumption in the region.
There is a large gap between production and consumption in the Eastern Mediterranean region, exceeding 6 million tonnes, and therefore investment opportunities.
Steel products exports from Arab countries
The volume of steel exports to Arab countries in 2023 will witness a rise by 40%.
The volume of exports from North African countries is expected to increase by 60% in 2023.
Egypt leads North African countries with a 140% increase compared to 2022.
The volume of Gulf countries’ exports will increase by 22% in 2023.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar lead the Gulf countries with an increase of 90% and 94%, respectively, compared to 2022.
Steel products imports from Arab countries
The volume of its imports of steel products decreased by 7% in 2023
The UAE, Iraq and Syria topped the countries importing steel products.
The region that imports the most is the Eastern Mediterranean, at a rate of 45%, and the least is North Africa, at a rate of 15%.
The year 2024 is expected to witness a decline in imports as a result of increased production capacities and expansion in the steel sector in Algeria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
There is still a gap in favour of Arab countries.
There are capabilities to expand and increase per capita production and consumption in Arab countries.
Conclusion
A decline in the region’s economic growth rate from 5.6 in 2022 to 3.4 in 2023.
A decline in the steel production and consumption level in 2023 by ( 2,5% – 7.5%).
Oil prices are the main driver of the economies of oil-exporting countries.
Energy prices in the Arab region play an important role in supporting national industry.
The increase of Arab steel companies’ exports to obtain foreign currency.
The Eastern Mediterranean region is one of the promising regions for investment in the iron and steel industry.
Steel production and consumption are expected to improve in 2024 due to increasing the volume of oil exports (OPEC+) and controlling inflation.
Some Arab companies have made clear progress in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, such as Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Egypt and Morocco, and appropriate conditions must be created for other Arab companies.
