Al Ghurair opens PackTech/PrinTech/PubliTech shows

The exhibitions, which feature exhibitors from 17 nations, are 16% larger than their previous showing in 2000 taking up 1,400 square metres.

Speaking after touring the shows, which are organised by Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), Al Ghurair said the packaging sector is one of the most rapidly developing industries in the UAE and is expanding into other regional markets.

"Expansion is being largely driven by demand from the food processing and the FMCG industries," he said. "The UAE is well placed to fulfill demand because it has the right infrastructure for the packaging industry."

Al Ghurair said the recent packaging industry committee established by the DCCI would further spur the industry and it is hoped the initiative may now spread to other emirates.

"The committee is aimed at facilitating co-operation between packaging producers in this sector but we would be ready to co-operate with other chambers in the country if they wished to build on this initiative," he commented.

Also present at the opening was Abdul Rahman Al Muttawi, director general DCCI.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Hassan Bin Al Shaikh, President of the UAE Printers Association disclosed at the opening of PackTech/PrinTech/PubliTech International that hopes were high that a GCC Printers Association could be established.

"This is what we are working towards. It is early days but we hope we can bring this about," he said.

Al Shaikh said the UAE printing industry is now actively targeting overseas sales and ismaking great headway in the book printing sector. "This market is opening up to us because many publishers, particularly from Europe, are now looking to outsource their printing requirements," he said.

Al Shaikh said the UAE's printing sector is now worth Dhs 4 billion annually. Commercial printing accounts for Dhs1.5 billion, of which between 30-40% of production is re-exported. The press printing sector is worth Dhs1 billion while the hard packaging and flexible printing sector accounts for another Dhs1.5 billion, around 40-50% of which is re-exported.

Al Shaikh said the printing sector is one of the top 10 industrial sectors in the Emirates and, according to studies by the UAE Printers Association, is growing at between 6-7% per year. "Other studies have put the annual growth as high as between 10-20% a year," he said.

Printing demand in the country, said Al Shaikh, is currently growing at around 8% though capital investment in the sector is rising at 12% per annum.

"The result is a tough, competitive market in which prices are falling," he said.

Al Shaikh went on to welcome the recently announced GCC Customs Union unified tariff which, he said, would spur the sector. "It further opens up the regional market which is good for all producers," he said.

Meanwhile, Damman-based Arnon Plastic Ind. Co. Ltd, one of two Saudi Arabian companies exhibiting at PackTech International, said it expects to record double-digit business volume growth this year due to increased demand for packaging from the fast-food sector.

"We envisage business volumes reaching US $20 million this year, compared with US $11 million last year," said Abdullah Al Sanea, General Manager, Arnon Plastic Ind.Co. Ltd.

Arnon also expects to double its UAE market share within the coming year via consolidated efforts with its local distributor, Falcon Pack. "We expect business volumes to increase in the UAE to some US $3 million," said Al Sanea.

In its PackTech debut, Arnon is launching sophisticated PET transparency packaging solutions. "These are equivalent to American or European products," said Al Sanea. "We anticipate huge Middle East demand because the market is moving towards new and stylish packaging tools."

Meanwhile, F&E, has disclosed that PackTech/PrinTech/PubliTech, previously held every two years, will now run annually.

"The next shows will be held at the Airport Expo, Dubai from September 19-22," explained Dominic McGill, Project Manager, F&E. "And, for the first time, an industry-led conference will be held alongside the shows."

PackTech/PrinTech/PubliTech International run at the Dubai World Trade Centre until Wednesday night. The shows are open daily from 10am until 2pm and from 5pm until 9pm. Children under 16 are not allowed entry.