Network with delegates from the exciting steel markets of Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia at 2nd North African Steel Conference. As the markets have plummeted and become increasingly competitive; combined with the international global crisis, it has become even more important to increase the profitability of steel production in the region. Attend this conference to find out how you can best survive these testing times.

As the hub of North African steel production Cairo enjoys an important strategic role in the global steel market and has developed a production base ideally positioned to supply a variety of export markets and industries. There are growing concerns about import policies and the shrinking Middle Eastern markets. These could have significant implications for North African producers.

North Africa is in a better position than many other regions to ride out this storm and there are many opportunities still available for those willing to take them. Many of the most influential executives in the region and investors from outside will discuss the challenges and opportunities they face at the North African Steel conference and, with over 150 international delegates expected to attend, the networking opportunities should be unparalleled.

Session I: Keynote Presentations

09:20 The Egyptian steel industry in the face of global economic crisis: how bad are the repercussions?
• Current situation and growth forecasts
• Import/Export situation
• Strategies to deal with the challenges of surging imports, shrinking demand & declining prices
• What is the demand outlook for 2009 and what are the likely growth drivers/sectors?
• Will the expansion plans previously announced materialize or face delays?
Speaker to be confirmed, Ezz Steel

An overview of the galvanised steel market in the Middle East
• Understanding the flat products market
• Outlining current trends
• Who are the key players
• Opportunities & challenges
Suraj Malhotra, Marketing Manager,
Al Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC, Abu Dhabi

10:20 Refreshment Break

Session II: Market overview – North Africa in the global crisis

11:50 Is North Africa faring better than the rest of the world?
• Domestic vs. International demand for steel products
• Looking at prices, when will they bottom out?
• Overall global picture of the steel market
Ismail Sadek, Construction and Building Materials Analyst,
Beltone Financial, Egypt

Economics: oil exporters and oil importers in North Africa
• How have North African economies been hit by the crisis?
• Will infrastructure and real estate spending hold up in 2009 and 2010?
• Demographics and growth – the longer-term view
Simon Kitchen, Vice-President Research-Economics,
EFG-Hermes, Egypt

12:00 Lunch

14:00 Maintaining growth in Egyptian steel production
• Government incentives and plans to support continued growth
• Accelerating planned investment?
• Policy on feedstock and energy prices
Amr Assal, Chairman,
Industrial Development Authority, Egypt

Session III: Finance and investment in North African steel

14:30 Finance in the current economic climate
• Investing in plants to come online after the downturn
• Why North Africa is still an attractive opportunity
• Overcoming difficulties in obtaining credit
Mohy-Eldin Abdin, Group Head Corporate Banking,
HSBC, Egypt

MENA emerges as top destination for foreign steel manufacturers
• Market trends for the first 5 months
• Which parts of MENA have been more active?
• Will this trend continue or change?
Hatice Tulum, Senior Manager, Trade Finance, Balli, UK

15:30 Refreshment Break

Session IV: Outside Egypt – country focus

16:00 Turkish steel trade and impact on MENA
• Global long steel analysis and forecast
• Turkish iron & steel industry and upcoming investments
• New quality improvements on construction steels (seismic)
• World & Middle East long steel markets and forecasts
• Turkish impact on Middle East steel market
Çetin Kaya, General Manager,
Ekinciler Iron and Steel Ind. Inc, Turkey

The Libyan steel market
• Understanding the impact of the global crisis on the market
• Country comparison, Libya in relation to the rest of North Africa
• New developments in the pipeline
New Chairman to be announced, Libyan Iron & Steel Co.
(LISCO) (TBC), Libya

17:00 Close of day one

18:00 Drinks reception

08:30 Registration desk opens

Session V: Raw material and supply – challenges and opportunities

09:30 Reliability, Flexibility and Efficiency - Three Keys in a Challenging Market
• Providing solutions through DRI
• Preparing for the upturn
• Examples of excellence
Todd Ames, Plant Sales Manager, Midrex
Technologies, USA

Steel trade patterns in North Africa
• Understand how the flows in, out and around Africa are changing and why
• How are the major import markets such as Turkey responding to the current crisis?
• Best export market potential
Patrick Gaffney, Vice President Equity Research,
EFG Hermes, Egypt

The case for investment in North African steel
• Strengths and weaknesses of the North African region
• Which countries could benefit most from steel investment
• What factors are key to success
Andrew Leyland, Senior Consultant, CRU Strategies, UK

11:00 Refreshment break

Session VI: Technological advances in North Africa

11:30 Successfully revising your 5 year plan to reflect the current market
• How different is the long term outlook to the one predicted in 2007/8?
• Innovative solutions for staying ahead of the game
• Current predictions for Ukraine & MENA
Ghazi Maherzi, Sales Manager North African Region,
Metinvest International, Ukraine

Session VI: Technological advances in North Africa Computer modelling for a rolling mill

• Using modelling to reduce costs and increase efficiency
• Innovative solutions for staying ahead of the game
• Current predictions for the next 5 years, where will the Ukraine be?
Ayman Zaki, MEA regional manager,
ABB BU Metals, Egypt

12:30 Lunch

Field Trip to Ezz Steel Alexandria
Take a complimentary trip to the Ezz Steel plant. You will be flown on private jet to and from the plant and refreshments, lunch and a grand tour of the  plant will be provided. This trip is free of charge for registered delegates and places are limited. Mark your interest on the booking form.

Companies attending include:

ABB Automation	International Coke & Ferro-Alloys Co
Al Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC	International Services & Consulting Co.
Alpha International Co	International Transit S.A.L Offshore
Altanmiah	Linkas Dis Tic Ltd Sti
Arab Iron & Steel Union	Metallurgia Metal San Ve Dis Tic Ltd
Balli	MFC Commodities GmbH
Beijing Shougang Alliance Of Xingang Science and Trade Co Ltd	Midrex Technologies
Beltone Financial	MMK Metal Ltd Sti
BLN GmbH	Novosteel SA
Carbofer General Trading SA	Oxbow Egypt Ltd
Cotsis SA	Profil Metal Dis Tic Ltd Sti
Coutinho Ferrostaal GmbH	Promoters
CRU Strategies Ltd	Safin
DEMZ	Siderimpes
EFG-Hermes	Siderurgica Balboa-Roctansa
Ekinciler Iron & Steel Ind Inc	SMS Siemag France SAS
Everrich International Trading Ltd	Somico
Ezz Steel	Steel Brokers
Fame Honor Development Ltd	Steelforce NV
Fortune Steel Resources Limited	Suez Steel Co
GWP Consulting Co	Sultan Steel Sarl
Hascor International Group - The Netherlands	Sumitomo Corporation
HSBC	Utmost Building Materials
Icdas Celik Enerji Tersane Ve Ulasim A.S	Vesuvius Mid East Ltd
Industrial Development Authority	Zhejiang Grand Imp. & Exp.Co.,Ltd
Intergate AG	ZMI Representative Office Middle East

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