DUBAI, 24 August 2007 — The paper industry in the MENA region is currently about $3 billion, with UAE’s share alone reaching $1 billion, industry players said at a press conference yesterday.
Paper Arabia 2007, the first-of-its-kind expo on the industry that is set to open on Sept. 1-3, 2007 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center (DIECC), will feature 119 exhibitors from 26 countries across the globe.
“In the last 10 years, paper industry in the region has grown significantly and Paper Arabia 2007 reflects our effort to highlight salient regional industry segments which have been silently contributing to the economic growth. The industry has seen major developments over the past few years and with the exponential rise in its growth, potential leading local and regional players are now in the middle of strategic investment and market expansion,” said Satish Khanna, general manager, Al-Fajer Information and Services, show organizer. “Total paper consumption of the MENA region is 3.5 million ton per year” he added.
Khanna said Dubai has evolved as a cost-effective hub for the industry. “There are various indicators in the regional industry that points to the continued growth of this segment. Expansion, consolidation and new investments across various segments of the paper industry are taking place at a rapid pace ensuring its reputation as a salient industry contributing to the accelerated regional economic diversification.”
The show’s participants include leading global names from UAE, Italy, Jordan, France, China, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Egypt, Germany, India, US, and UK. There are over 25 players in the UAE alone, and the industry is going through a very challenging phase of competition.
