UAE consumer paper, packaging market valued at $500 million

14 September 2015

The UAE consumer paper and board packaging market is valued at $500 million comprising approximately 0.5% of global demand and this percentage is expected to increase as the UAE economy further develops according to speakers at a press conference held Sunday to unveil details of the 8th edition of Paper Arabia 2015, the biggest to date, that kicks off today (Monday) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, announced Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show.

Al Fajer said that the packaging sales in the UAE will continue to show strong growth as both increased consumption and demand for consumer goods drives the need for more sophisticated packaging.

Lamyae Zafati, Exhibition Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of Paper Arabia 2015 said: "We are fully geared to inaugurate the largest Paper Arabia to date. The show is 22% bigger than previous edition, which demonstrates robustness of the paper industry in the UAE and regionally, in products as well as machinery."

"The UAE paper industry is witnessing dramatic growth due to the increasing number of manufacturers and significant development of paperwork conversion industry in recent years. Paper conversion sector includes producing all major paper products such envelopes, paper bags, cardboard and others," added Zafati.

Leading paper manufacturers find in Paper Arabia 2015 a perfect opportunity to meet face to face with their existing and would be customers from GCC, as well as Iran and Africa.

Paper Arabia 2015 brings together major paper suppliers and manufacturers under one roof.

Paper Arabia 2015 attracted leading players from the paper, tissue and converting industry. The show offers opportunities for manufactures and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to access the Middle East, North Africa as well as Asian markets.

Paper Arabia 2015 serves as a platform for meeting people and finding the right supplier and right product. So many new paper grades are coming to market each year. Trade shows such as Paper Arabia provides the perfect environment and opportunity to find out about the new offerings.

The increasing number of Asia suppliers at the shows sends out the perfect reminder that the center of gravity within paper industry has shifted eastward. USA and Europe are no longer the dominant forces in the paper industry.

"The paper industry market is growing tremendously, year on year, and new products are being launched on a regular basis. New companies are launching business in this field. Soft packaging is seeing high demand. Corrugated paper is being used for new patterns. Tissue paper is being recycled. Green campaigns are running in most of the countries. We anticipate huge success for Paper Arabia ," she added.

Corrugated and carton industries have been added to the line-up in 2015 edition where leading companies specialized in this field will be present at the show.

Zafati added: "The previous edition of the show saw attendance of more than 8000 trade visitors from 45 countries; we expect this number to cross 10000 in this year's edition due to the fact that more companies are exhibiting."

Paper Arabia attracts key players in paper and tissues production, in addition to manufacturers of paper remittances from the Middle East and the world. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for major machinery manufacturing firms and other service providers to showcase their latest innovations.

The show has attracted participation from the UAE, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Libya, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Taiwan, Netherlands, UK and USA. Zafati added that paper consumers in the world are looking at Dubai as an alternative hub for Europe due to its cost effectiveness and speed of delivery, making it a strong candidate for acquiring lead position in this industry.

About the tissues industry, Zafati said: "Although production capacity of paper tissues in the UAE is very high, factories in the UAE have plans to increase their export to neighboring countries.

 

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