ArabPlast 2017 kicked off today (Sunday, 8th January 2017) in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. HE Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, inaugurated the show and many other government representatives, business executives, and industry experts.
The No. 1 trade show in the Middle East in term of machinery on display and the leading regional platform for the plastic industry, will continue for three days until Tuesday, 10th of January, and will allow to get in touch with most advanced technology and solutions related to this sector, and provided by suppliers from all over the world.
After inaugurating ArabPlast 2017, which spreads over 9 halls, HE Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, said: “The UAE and Dubai are a global trade hub where manufacturers are looking to Dubai for the distribution of their products and the formulation of strategic partnerships not to mention gaining access to many vital markets thanks to its advanced infrastructure in transportation, distribution, logistics, and warehousing.”
“The manufacturing sector has achieved positive growth in 2016 in Dubai. World-class techniques in petrochemicals, plastics, and rubber are being practiced in the UAE and the wider Gulf. This comes when Dubai is always opening up new markets, such as in Africa and Latin America, as well as it enhances the potential of existing markets such as India,” Al Ghurair added.
HE Al Ghurair said that many international petrochemicals companies had been headquartered in the UAE due to our leaders’ innovative visions, our business-friendly policies and regulations, and the several advantages provided to foreign investors.
Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, Co-organiser of the show, and Germany’s Messe Dusseldorf, said the participation of exhibitors from more than 39 countries reflects the magnitude of the event regionally and on the global front.
He added: “The strategic position of the UAE makes it an ideal place to invest in the petrochemicals and related sectors. Our show ArabPlast presents a platform to tap new opportunities and support the petrochemicals, plastics, and rubber industries.”
Jebel Ali Industrial Zone produces an annual capacity of 40,000 metric tons of granular compound and water-soluble fertilizer, along with 200,000 metric tons of suspension and liquid fertilizers and has a capacity of 200,000 metric tons. Many investors have opted to use Jebel Ali Industrial Zone that is well-known for its logistics and shipping center, making it much easier to distribute to a wide array of countries with ease.
At the opening of Arabpast 2017, HE Majid Saif Al Ghurair was welcomed by senior officials from Al Fajer Information and Services and Messe Dusseldorf, joint organizers of the show.
“We are proud to launch the ArabPlast 2017 show, knowing that the petrochemicals sector is expected to witness a potential growth. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), oil demand for petrochemicals is likely to grow by about 3% a year between 2015 and 2021, with petrochemicals taking a more significant proportion of the oil barrel; Also, new capacities being brought on the track by leading companies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries,” added Khanna.
“ArabPlast 2017 plays a principal role in connecting local decision-makers with international machinery suppliers and also investors willing to create new ventures or to set alliances with the major regional companies,” commented Khanna.
On its first day, ArabPlast 2017 has registered strong participation, bringing together 972 companies from 39 countries, 12 national pavilions, an increase of 12 percent in terms of the overall display area, and 18 percent in the UAE’s presence compared with the 2015 edition.
Khanna added: “We expect higher attendance compared to the previous edition. The show is getting bigger exposure and influence in a very organic pattern. Being held in the UAE, which is a regional hub that connects India and Asia to the rest of the world, ArabPlast is setting strong basis as one of the leading events of its kind globally.”
Given its high impact, giant players in this sector are part of the biannual show as Borouge; the leading UAE company is the Principle Sponsor while TASNEE is a Platinum Sponsor.
Furthermore, influential decision-makers in the show reflect its contribution in presenting potential partnership opportunities as regional governments are continuously supporting the growth of this sector and encouraging investments in its subsectors. “Downstream plastic industry being one of them as the UAE is highly investing in five major industries including automotive, consumer appliances, plastic packaging, construction, and metals processing,” said Khanna.
“The UAE enjoys 2 differential advantages over Asia and Europe that facilitates the production of petrochemicals: feedstock and logistics, which facilitate to attract new investments and alliances to the region,” Khanna concluded.
