All friends aboard at the Dead Sea
Every year in late fall the Arab Union of Cement and Building Materials (AUCBM) celebrates its annual meeting. In 2013, the 18th Arab International Cement Conference and Exhibition was held from November, 11th to 13th at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre on the Dead Sea in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. About 600 delegates from across the Middle East, Africa, India and Europe had gathered to listen to the different lectures about new technological developments in the field of cement, including new cements, alternative fuels and improvements in sustainability. In this way, case studies were presented as well as modern process control techniques and quality assurance equipment.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Hatem Al-Halawani, Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, mentioned as a highlight, the enormous strides made by his country´s economy due to effective political and economic reforms, which have seen GDP double over the last decade. Dr. Hatem pointed out the significant achievements of the cement industry in Jordan which has become one of the pillars of the economy since the first factory was established in the early 1950s, when other domestic manufacturing activities were limited to light industries such as handicrafts.
As well as noting the vital economic contribution of the cement industry to the economy, Dr. Hatem also warned that industrial development should not be at the expense of the environment: “I invite the industry to give the environment a high priority, so that future development is sustainable,” he explained.
His Highness Prince Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saud Al Kabir, Chairman of the Board of the Arab Union for Cement and Building Materials (AUCBM), who chaired the opening session, paid a special tribute to the King of Jordan and his leadership during the current era of instability in the wider region: “This great king is leading the country well despite the difficult circumstances in which we are living in the region, and I ask Allah to support him in protecting this country through these sad events”, he said, referring to the events of the current situation in Syria, especially as Damascus, the neighbour country´s capital is only about 100 km away from the Jordanian border.
Prince Al Kabir noted the positive role played by the AUCBM in making available technical information to the cement and building industry through sponsoring training, events and other activities, enabling Arab producers to expand and enhance operations by adopting the latest, innovative technologies from around the globe. “This conference will provide a platform to learn about best practice in production technology, both locally and internationally,” he said, “enabling the industry to work towards a sustainable future.”
Ahmad Al-Rousan, Secretary General of the AUCBM and organiser of the event noted that around 600 delegates had registered for the meeting, which included a three-day conference programme with a large number of interesting topics plus a cement equipment exhibition, featuring many of the leading names in equipment supply.
The great hall of the convention center was the main meeting place for the numerous contacts between exhibitors and visitors, technicians and sellers. Some 123 companies from 25 countries around the globe were represented there and welcomed at their booths not only potential customers and interested guests, but also the one or other old acquaintances from earlier events or transactions. Hundreds of people gathered here in the lecture breaks to have some coffee or tea. For this convenience, positive reactions came from all sides.
Mostly the exhibitors came from Europe, some from Middle and East Asia, and some others from the Americas. They all were very satisfied with the event. In every aisle, at nearly every booth, people were constantly talking to others and discussing. All around one could hear satisfied statements and comments about how good business was running again.
The next AUCBM will be the 19th Arab International Cement Technical Conference and Exhibition and will take place in November 2014 in Marrakech/Morocco.
