UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
"Plastivision Arabia" fair held in Sharjah / Weighing in on a dedicated plastic park strategy / Focus on downstream industries / First "Print Pack Arabia" well received
A number of industry executives attending "Plastivision Arabia" fair (www.plastivision.ae), held recently from 7- 10 April in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), voiced support for the creation of a dedicated plastics park to enhance the country’s reputation as an important plastics production and processing hub and to boost SME growth in the market.
 Plastics processing increasingly important in the Persian Gulf region (Photo: Plastivision Arabia) |
According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA, Dubai, UAE; www.gpca.org.ae), plastics processing in the region is geographically concentrated with about 90 percent of plastics conversion taking place in Saudi Arabia in five industrial parks, and in the UAE at the Abu Dhabi Polymer Park, the world’s largest plastics park in addition to a few clusters in Dubai and Sharjah. The non-profit association, which represents the interests of the petrochemicals and chemicals industries in the Persian Gulf, says the plastics parks in the two countries account for more than 60 percent of plastics processed in the Gulf Cooperational Council (GCC), a political and economic union of Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf – namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – and around 70 percent of the 50 largest processors – see Plasteurope.com of 14.01.2014.
However, with an aim to capitalise on the massive polymer capacity and to develop downstream production capabilities, the region is currently focusing on downstream industries and plastics conversion and local plastics, mould making, printing and packaging industries believe a dedicated industrial park would bring benefits to the regional plastics industry, said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of the Expo Centre Sharjah (www.expo-centre.ae). Indeed, as previously reported in Plasteurope.com – see Plasteurope.com of 20.01.2014, analysts forecast the regional plastics industry of the GCC to have annual growth of 30% over the next five years, making it the fastest growth rate in the world.
The new park concept was not the only topic making news at the second edition of the biennial trade exhibition. The inaugural "Print Pack Arabia", jointly organised by Expo Centre Sharjah and the Indian Printing, Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (IPAMA, New Delhi / India) showcased the latest printing and packaging technologies, machinery and equipment for the regional market.
“The printing and packaging industry is fuelled by growing economies and rising demand from core sectors. A growing retail landscape is also keeping the order books busy for the industry and thus Print Arabia became a key sourcing point for the regional industry, which is looking to invest in technology, machinery and skills development to sustain growth,” noted Midfa.
Following a strong debut in 2012, Plastivision Arabia and "Arabia Mold" were expanded to include Print Pack Arabia with the fifth "PlastiCon" also taking place at the same time. During the four-day event, exhibition organisers estimate more than 7,200 visitors from 77 countries attended the three trade fairs, which collectively offered 250 exhibitors from more than 20 countries.
The next Plastivision Arabia is set for 2016 from 10-13 January and will once again be in Sharjah at the Expo Centre.
However, with an aim to capitalise on the massive polymer capacity and to develop downstream production capabilities, the region is currently focusing on downstream industries and plastics conversion and local plastics, mould making, printing and packaging industries believe a dedicated industrial park would bring benefits to the regional plastics industry, said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of the Expo Centre Sharjah (www.expo-centre.ae). Indeed, as previously reported in Plasteurope.com – see Plasteurope.com of 20.01.2014, analysts forecast the regional plastics industry of the GCC to have annual growth of 30% over the next five years, making it the fastest growth rate in the world.
The new park concept was not the only topic making news at the second edition of the biennial trade exhibition. The inaugural "Print Pack Arabia", jointly organised by Expo Centre Sharjah and the Indian Printing, Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (IPAMA, New Delhi / India) showcased the latest printing and packaging technologies, machinery and equipment for the regional market.
“The printing and packaging industry is fuelled by growing economies and rising demand from core sectors. A growing retail landscape is also keeping the order books busy for the industry and thus Print Arabia became a key sourcing point for the regional industry, which is looking to invest in technology, machinery and skills development to sustain growth,” noted Midfa.
Following a strong debut in 2012, Plastivision Arabia and "Arabia Mold" were expanded to include Print Pack Arabia with the fifth "PlastiCon" also taking place at the same time. During the four-day event, exhibition organisers estimate more than 7,200 visitors from 77 countries attended the three trade fairs, which collectively offered 250 exhibitors from more than 20 countries.
The next Plastivision Arabia is set for 2016 from 10-13 January and will once again be in Sharjah at the Expo Centre.
24.04.2014 Plasteurope.com [228081-0]
Published on 24.04.2014