Cairo hosting Middle East's largest exhibition for Plastic and Rubber industries – PLASTEX 2005

PLASTEX 2005, the largest exhibition for the plastic and rubber industries in the region featuring over 320 exhibitors from 31 countries, was opened today (Thursday, May 26, 2005) at the Cairo Fair Ground. The event is the premier international exhibition of its kind in the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, serving the markets of 18 countries.
 
Speaking at the inauguration of the event, Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman of ACG-ITF, the organisers of the event, said, "PLASTEX 2005 provides an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to access the enormous market of the MENA region. The event seeks to provide a platform for exhibitors to finalise deals, meet potential buyers and partners as well as suppliers, manufacturers and investors, and explore the possibility of entering untapped markets."
 
"This year's edition of the show features a strong regional and European presence, with exhibitors from leading manufacturing countries such as Germany, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland, Austria and Turkey in addition to the leading Arabian biggest raw material producers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The fact that Middle East is gradually emerging as the world's largest producer of petrochemicals and plastics makes it the ideal investment destination in the sector,” Ghozzi added.
 
The growth of plastic production in the Middle East is the fastest in the world, and the plastic and rubber industry in the region is projected to record an unprecedented annual growth over the next five years. This has prompted traders and investors from around the world to show their keen interest to tap the Middle East. Such fact can be easily detected by monitoring the international participation at PLASTEX 2005 as the leading international trade exhibition serving the plastics industry in the whole region.
 
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) and Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Company (SIDPEC); the three leading companies from the plastic and petrochemicals industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, are participating at PLASTEX 2005. The show is expected to draw 18,000 visitors covering all sections of the industry in addition to other industries in which plastic components are involved. Plastic is a versatile material, which is finding new applications in today's rapidly evolving world, and is linked to a number of economic sectors.
 
“PLASTEX 2005 will seek to shed light on the latest technologies in plastic resins, plastic films, moulds, all related manufacturing machinery and other equipments that will facilitate production of high-quality goods, besides focusing on ways to make use of the opportunities in the dynamic Middle East market,” Ghozzi concluded.
 
Egypt is strategically located to cater to the Middle East and North African markets by being the crossroad to global trade through dominating transportation routes by air, land and see thought the region. With a population of 70 million, Egypt is a major importer of plastics as it had consumed plastic materials and resins worth US$ 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.
 
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 and Accessories exhibition in the region, in addition to other successful international trade business exhibitions.
PLASTEX is Middle East and North Africa’s premier exhibition for Plastics, Chemicals and Rubber Machinery & Products. The exhibition is the leading event of its kind in the region and has been significantly growing in strength since its launch in 1993. Leading multinational companies with products ranging from chemicals and resins to moulds and dies are provided access to the enormous market of the region. More than 240 exhibitors from over 22 countries participated in the last version of the event in 2003. ACG-ITF, leading trade events organizers in the MENA region, will organize the exhibition, which will be held from May 26-29, 2005 at Cairo Fair Ground, Egypt.