GGF Launches Middle East Region

The GGF has announced the launch of the GGF Middle East region. This is marked by the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) inviting the GGF to the Working Party for drafting a single UAE standard for the glass and glazing industry alongside other leaders and decision makers, and the establishing of a networking Forum for glass companies in the region to share best practice and problem solve issues for businesses in the Middle East region.

The GGF was invited to Abu Dabai in January for an inaugural meeting with the Standards Authority in the UAE. The select delegation included Nigel Rees, Chief Executive of the GGF and Steve Rice, Director of Glazing and Director of Safety Glazing of the GGF, who met with Ali Omar Abdullah, Director of Standards Department at the ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology).

This meeting lay the groundwork for a UAE Working Party to be established for drafting a single UAE Standard for the glazing industry, with the GGF invited to support and participate in this.

Nigel Rees commented ‘Companies in the UAE region work to very high, stringent standards, but ones that are different. Specifiers and architects experience problems with ensuring that they are communicating what is required because standards are so different in the UEA region. The UAE recognises the need for one single standard across the UAE and wants this to happen. The biggest challenge we are faced with is ensuring how standardisation is met; obtaining agreement by all of the Emirates to adopt in both theory and practise, one single standard that works for all Emirates.’

The focus of the GGF Middle East region will also be to support the UAE and with their knowledge, administer a Forum for glass companies in the region to network, problem solve issues, share best practise, and combine efforts to generate a specific Standard that will suit businesses operating in the UAE region.

As Steve Rice commented 'It is the mandate and passion of the GGF to further develop standards in both the private and public sectors, within the UK and internationally. The launch of the GGF Middle East region marks another chapter in its continual plans and reaffirms the importance of standards and standardisation in an ever global society. The GGF thanks the UAE for their support and commitment to the glazing industry and to the GGF over the years. The GGF are looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the UAE.’

The GGF has membership throughout the Middle East (e.g. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain) which is continually expanding. GGF Members represent both the largest players in the region, and are also the largest players in the Working Party for the drafting of the single UAE Standard. These large to medium sized companies include the float glass manufacturer Emirates Float Glass llc; Gulf Glass Industries; Danway Fusion llc; Alumatec and Orpro Company Ltd. The Middle East Region is headed up by the Chairman, Alistair Kellock of Danway Fusion llc. The Vice Chairman is Samih Fatayerji of Gulf Glass Industries and the Chairman of Technical Working Parties is John Reeves of Gulf Glass Industries.

The GGF Middle East Region meets on a quarterly basis with the next meeting taking place in March 2008 in Dubai. If you are interested in the GGF Middle East region please contact Steve Rice on +44 7710 553743. For information on becoming a GGF member, please contact Linda Cavendar on lcavendar@ggf.org.uk.