International plastics manufacturers look to leverage PLASTEX 2008 platform to boost regional presence

Germany, Italy, China, India, Taiwan and Turkey have already confirmed that they will set up individual pavilions during the event to showcase their products and technologies.

The four-day exhibition will welcome more than 550 exhibitors from 31 countries and around 24,000 trade visitors from 18 countries to discuss the latest industry technologies, trends, and innovations and explore around 25,000 square metres of the latest and the leading plastic machinery, components, raw materials, chemicals, and services.

Exhibition slots have already been sold out in anticipation of another year of strong international response to the event, with many new potential exhibitors thus urging event organizer ACG-ITF to arrange for extra halls.

"The high attendance figures consistently amassed by PLASTEX since its inception in 1993 have established the event as a highly anticipated annual platform for regional and international industry interaction. The presence of prominent Western firms such as Germany's Battenfeld and Krauss-Maffei, the UK's Suffren and Italy's Nova, Saporiti and Macplas reflects this global appeal and the high interest in the region's rapidly-growing plastics sector,"

said Rabab Ahmed, International Sales Manager, ACG-ITF.

PLASTEX has emerged as an important gathering for all segments of the plastics industry.

The 2007 edition posted a 30% increase in exhibition space and 15% hike in the number of visitors, with 87% of exhibitors affirming that the show met their overall objectives.

PLASTEX is expected to maintain its growth rate in 2008 and beyond in light of an anticipated 30% growth in the Middle Eastern plastic industry alone over the next five years, which will represent the fastest rate in the world.

"PLASTEX 2007 was able to generate a record €230 million in business deals; this shows the lucrative opportunities of the MENA region's plastic trade, and we are confident that this figure will be surpassed by the latest edition. Last year also saw the inauguration of the Egyptian Exhibition for Plastic Exporters & Manufacturers (EgyPlast), which was organised by the Egyptian Plastic Exporters and Manufacturers Association (EPEMA). EgyPlast will again be held concurrently with PLASTEX this year and will provide valuable insights into Egypt's unique market," said Ahmed Mostafa, Project Manager, ACG-ITF.

PLASTEX 2008 is organized by ACG-ITF, the leading trade events organizer in the Middle East and Africa capturing 42% of international trade fairs in Egypt.

ACG-ITF oversees various established international trade exhibitions such as ITCE, the leading exhibition for textile, embroidery & sewing machinery & accessories; NEXT MOVE, on of the region's comprehensive real estate buyer-developer-financier event; and AUTOMECH, the largest vehicles, buses, motorcar workshops, and automobile spare parts and accessories exhibition in the region, in addition to other international exhibitions.