(MENAFN - Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The domestic production of paper packaging and tissues crossed 2.5 million tons in the UAE in 2010, according to the organizers of Paper Arabia 2011, the exhibition that has seen a remarkable increase in the number of paper mills participating.
Moreover, Chinese and Indian participation has increased by 20 and 15 percent respectively in display area of the show, the first-of-its-kind industry expo, which will be held from September 18 to 20 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
This was revealed at a press conference held Saturday, 17th September, at Dubai World Trade Centre, attended by officials from Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show, China National Household Paper Industry Association representing the Chinese participation and Asia Pulp '&' Paper (APP), main sponsor of the show and major participants including Abu Dhabi National Paper Mill LLC (ADNPM).
Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, said: "Paper Arabia 2011 will feature 150 companies from 25 countries, compared to 115 companies in its last edition in 2010. These positive signs indicate that the paper industry is seeing remarkable growth in terms of production, export of machinery, import of products and total investments." Commenting on the rapidly increasing Chinese interest in the paper and tissue industry in the UAE, Khanna said: "Chinese companies will display a wide range of household paper products and machinery equipment. The growing tissue market of the Middle East remains a key attraction for Chinese companies.
They want to explore the huge market or establish stable relationship in the Middle East area. Paper Arabia is an ideal platform to explore business in the Middle East." The increase in the display area of the Chinese and Indian participations consolidates the position of the Middle East as one of the primary markets for the Asian companies' tissue paper and disposable products.
Chinese and Indian companies attending Paper Arabia 2011 come from tissue/sanitary products vendors, converting machinery manufacturers, tissue producers, sanitary products related companies and tissue package sealing label maker.
Paper Arabia 2011 not only specialize in paper industry but also tissue and converting industries.
Asia Pulp '&' Paper (APP), one of the world's leading pulp and paper companies and the largest vertically integrated pulp and paper producer in Asia, excluding Japan, is sponsoring the show.
Among individual participants in the show is Abu Dhabi National Paper Mill LLC (ADNPM), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Industrial Projects Co. (ADNIP), which houses a pulp store, machine house, stock preparation facilities, tissue machines, de-inking plant, warehouse and offices.
Khanna added: "The expo serves as a launching pad for new technologies targeted at the Middle East region. The participants include leading global names from USA, UK, India, China, Germany, Taiwan, Indonesia, Austria, Korea to name a few." The show will work to promote technique improvement and economic development of the industry, and to accelerate the modernization drive in this fast growing industry.
European paper machinery manufacturers will showcase new solutions at Paper Arabia 2011. These companies will use the show as an ideal platform to establish new contacts and seek new partners and customers from the Middle East region.
Khanna added: "Paper Arabia offers opportunities to manufacturers and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to tap the Middle East and North African markets." The show places special emphasis on hygiene and disposable products, reflected in the demand for various products such as wet wipes, baby diapers and sanitary napkins.
Manufacturers, converters, distributors and traders from all over the world are expected to visit Paper Arabia to grow business and share expertise.
