PLASTEX 2005 to feature leading companies from several European countries

Exhibitors from Germany, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland, Austria and Turkey will gather for the four-day event, which provides an ideal meeting point for manufacturers, suppliers, traders, distributors, investors and consumers.

With the plastic and rubber industry in the region projected to remarkable annual growth over the next five years, traders and investors from around the world have been showing keen interest to tap the Middle East market.

"The growth of the Middle East plastic and rubber market in the last few years has been remarkable, and it is set to grow further in the coming years. Investors from around the world are eager to take advantage of this booming market, particularly those from Europe. The large number of exhibitors from Europe at PLASTEX 2005, as well as the fact that the largest European manufacturing companies are participating at the show, is testimony to the global attention the market has been inviting. European investors have been watching the Middle East market to tap its vast potential," said Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman of ACG-ITF, organizers of the event.

320 exhibitors from 31 countries will come under one roof at PLASTEX 2005, including three leading companies from the plastic and petrochemicals industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region - Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Company (SIDPEC), the main sponsor to the event, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), and Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO).

"Plastic is a versatile material finding new applications in today's rapidly evolving world, offering ever new opportunities. PLASTEX 2005 seeks to focus on ways to make use of these opportunities in the dynamic Middle East market while tackling the challenges effectively," Ghozzi said.

"The region is slowly emerging as the world's largest producer of petrochemicals and plastics. The fact that plastic production in Middle East is growing faster than in any other region, combined with its excellent export infrastructure and logistics, makes Middle East the ideal investment destination in the sector," he added.

Egypt is a major importer of plastics, having consumed plastic materials and resins worth $ 1.65 billion in 2003 alone, and with more factories coming up, the demand is expected to grow at 10 per cent annually for the next three years. The most populous country in the region, Egypt is strategically located to cater for the Middle East and North African markets, thereby providing an ideal platform for 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 other successful international trade business exhibitions.