Participation of SABIC, QAPCO and SIDI KERIR affirms PLASTEX 2005 as the leading show of its kind in MENA region

PLASTEX 2005, which will be held at Cairo Fair Ground in Egypt from May 26-29, 2005, is organised by ACG-ITF and is expected to attract more than 300 exhibitors from 35 countries, representing all segments of the plastic and rubber industries. The show stands as an ideal venue for exhibitors to finalise their deals, appoint agents and distributors and launch their new products and technologies in the regional markets.

Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman, ACG-ITF said: "The usual participation of SABIC, QAPCO and SIDI KERIR have tremendously boosted the prominence and popularity of the show throughout the preceding versions. Now being the most prestigious and reputed names operating in the plastic and chemical industry in the region, the three companies are sharing their success stories with PLASTEX series. Their involvement this year in particular will add value to the show, as they share their expertise and know-how, on the finer points of operating efficiently in the MENA region."

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), is among the leading petrochemical companies in the world, in terms of sales and product diversity. Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC is one of the Middle East's largest non-oil industrial companies. SABIC's businesses are grouped into six strategic business units, namely Basic Chemicals; Intermediates; Polyolefins; PVC and Polyester; Fertilizers and Metals.

Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO), is a multi-national joint venture between Qatar Petroleum holding, AtoFina of France and Enichem of Italy. The company is regarded as a unique and pioneering venture not only in Qatar, but also the Middle East. As the state's flagship petrochemical firm, QAPCO plans to boost production of low-density polyethylene and ethylene by initiating a major de-bottlenecking plan. Currently, QAPCO is the largest producer of low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) in the Middle East with an annual capacity of 360,000 million tons. The company also plans to set up a new polyethylene plant with a capacity of 615,000 tons per annum, by 2006.

Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Company (SIDPEC), the main sponsor of PLASTEX 2005, is located at Alexandria port at the Mediterranean and widely known as a world-class producer of ethylene and polyethylene. The company currently produces 300,000 tons of ethylene a year and 225,000 tons of linear low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene, using ethylene as a feedstock. SIDPEC competes in export markets maintaining market leadership through high quality, strong marketing and excellent customer satisfaction.

"SABIC, QAPCO and SIDI KERIR will hugely benefit from PLASTEX 2005 by leveraging the numerous high level networking possibilities at the show. The exhibition also provides an excellent platform for manufacturers, suppliers, traders, distributors, investors and consumers to be exposed to modern technologies, innovations and trends prevailing in the market," said Ahmed Mostafa, Project Manager, ACG-ITF.

"There is a surge in exhibitor participation this year, with strong presence of countries from both the MENA region and Europe such as Germany, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey and of course China. Exhibitors will look forward to showcasing their latest offerings and presenting new dimensions to the plastic and chemical industry in order to cater for the increasing needs of the over-330-million-consumer market paying much consideration to Egypt, the hosting country of PLASTEX, whose consumers are over 71 million alone," said Rabab Ahmed, International Sales Manager, ACG-ITF.

PLASTEX 2005 is the most important event of its kind in the region and has been significantly growing in strength. Since its launch in 1993, more worldwide exhibitors and more specialized trade visitors have been attending the event. Around 242 regional and foreign exhibitors participated in PLASTEX 2003 apart from more than 13,000 trade visitors. With an increasing regional interest in the event, more than 18,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the expo this year. The forthcoming fair will draw visitors representing all trade and non-trade sections of the industry including: importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, traders, manufacturers & factory owners, government officials in addition to chambers of commerce and industry. Strategically located to cater to the Middle East and North African markets, Egypt, the annual host of PLASTEX, will provide an ideal platform for the exhibitors to focus on the regional market.

ACG-ITF has been organising high profile international exhibitions like ITCE, the leading exhibition for Textile, Embroidery & Sewing Machinery & Accessories and AUTOMECH, the biggest 'Vehicles, Buses, Motorcar workshops, Automobile Spare Parts & Accessories Exhibition' in the region, in addition to some other successful international trade business exhibitions.