Competition hots up in paper industry in UAE; debut expo, Paper Arabia 2007, to highlight issues

Unveiling the details of Paper Arabia 2007, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (DIECC), senior officials of Al Fajer Information and Services said that the expo has been conceived keeping in view of the dynamic changes that is happening in the industry, including an impending consolidation.

Commenting on the show, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, said:

'Paper Arabia 2007 is a debut show and has been organised in the backdrop of a 10-fold growth in the industry between 1997-2007 and rising competition among the regional players. The UAE, particularly Dubai, is the hub of the paper industry in the Middle East and Africa and is worth close to AED 1 billion now.'

Paper Arabia which has more than 100 exhibitors from 25 countries across the world will be a significant platform for traders and industry players to interact. The show's participants include leading global names from the UAE, Italy, Jordan, France, China, Netherlands, Indonesia, Egypt, Germany, India, USA, UK etc.

Mr. Khanna said that it is estimated that 40 per cent of the UAE's business in the paper industry accounts for re-exports and the share is expected to grow with global end-users of paper shifting their focus to Dubai and the region compared to Europe for cost-efficiency and faster delivery time.

'This is the first time ever a show in this sector is being held in Dubai. There are some 25 players in the paper industry in the UAE and regional business expansion of these companies has also brought in increasing competition. In this context, industry sources indicate that the industry could be on the verge of a consolidation to shore up profitability,' he said.

The expo will cover industries of paper and converting and will be a launching pad for new technologies targeted at the Middle East region. Initial indications prove that the show has elicited strong response across the region guaranteeing successful visitor turnout.

'The show will highlight Dubai's stature in regional and global paper industry and its expanding reach across the world as an efficient business hub with excellent infrastructure. We are confident that the show will be an eye-opener into the hitherto not much talked about paper industry,' Mr. Khanna added.