Middle East plastic industry expected to add 35 per cent more capacity over next five years
More than 550 exhibitors from 30 countries to participate in PLASTEX 2010
More than 550 exhibitors from around 30 countries are expected to gather at the Cairo International Fair Ground, Egypt, from May 13-16, 2010, to take part in PLASTEX 2010, the twelfth international African-Arabian exhibition for plastic industries. About 24,000 trade visitors from 18 regional MENA countries are estimated to visit the four-day exhibition. PLASTEX 2010, the leading regional trade fair for plastic industries, is dedicated to the plastic machinery, components, raw materials and chemicals industry, and represents products, services, technologies, innovations and trends for MENA markets.
The exhibition serves as an essential platform for established and new players in the plastic industry to capitalise on the ever-increasing opportunities in the Middle East and Africa markets. According to latest statistics, the Middle East plastic industry is expected to add 35 per cent more capacity over next five years, which is regarded as the fastest rate of growth in the world.
The 11th edition of PLASTEX held in March 2008 witnessed a 20 per cent increase in exhibition space, and 15 per cent increase in the number of visitors, with a new record in business deals, which were valued at €230 million. It is expected that the exhibition – held every 18 months - will maintain its growth rate in the 2010 edition as well, as it provides an exclusive platform for international companies from the plastics industry. The third Egyptian Exhibition for Plastic Exporters & Manufacturers – EgyPlast, organised by the Egyptian Plastic Exporters and Manufacturers Association (EPEMA), will be held concurrently with PLASTEX 2010. The last two editions of EgyPlast held on the sidelines of PLASTEX 07 & 08 proved to be a major success as they provided ideal opportunities for product manufacturers and exporters to meet with machinery and equipment manufacturers, in addition to plastic industry professionals.
Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman, ACG-ITF, organiser of the event, said, “Ever since its launch in 1993, PLASTEX has grown steadily to become one of the most sought-after events for the plastic industry in the MENA region. The show features the latest innovations and technologies from across the world, with the presence of leading exhibitors form countries all over the globe such as Austria, Belgium, China, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, USA and others, in addition to Egypt, the host country.”
Hamed Mousa, President of Plastics Division, Federation of Egyptian Industries, said, “The plastics industry in Egypt is growing steadily and becoming increasingly modernised. There are substantial opportunities for foreign manufacturers to start or expand their business in Egypt. There are about 1300 factories in Egypt with a total market volume of about USD 4.5 billion and total investments reaching more than USD 3.8 billion. Moreover, Egypt consumes plastic materials worth nearly USD 1.9 billion annually with the demand expected to increase 10 percent yearly”.
ACG-ITF, the organizers of PLASTEX, are also responsible for organising other established international trade exhibitions like ITCE, the leading exhibition for textile, embroidery & sewing machinery & accessories; and AUTOMECH, the largest ’vehicles, buses, motorcar workshops, automobile spare parts & accessories exhibition in the region. Both sectors are closely related to the plastic industry, which ensures wider scope of trade visitors for PLASTEX series.
