QAPCO signs up as main sponsor of PLASTEX 2008 in Egypt
550 exhibitors from 31 countries aim to tap-into projected 30 per cent annual industry growth in Middle East until 2013
Regional and international plastics processors will showcase the latest industry trends and technologies during PLASTEX 2008, the 11th international African-Arabian exhibition for plastics industries, which will be held from October 23-26, 2008, at the Cairo International Fair Ground in Cairo, Egypt. The event will serve as a timely platform for trade members to discuss and prepare for a projected 30 per cent annual industry growth rate within the Middle East for the next five years, the fastest in the world.
Qatar Petrochemical Co. (QAPCO), a producer and global distributor of fertilizers, steel, refined petroleum products and natural gas liquids, will act as main sponsor of the prestigious event, which is set to gather more than 550 leading exhibitors from over 31 countries across Asia, Europe and the Far East, along with various Gulf member countries.
The QAPCO event delegation will be led by the company’s General Manager, Dr. Mohammed Yousef Al-Mulla, accompanied by Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Abdulla, Group Manager, Commercial and Marketing. Assocomaplast, the Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Moulds Manufacturers’ Association, has likewise confirmed its participation as main exhibitor and partner for the 2008 edition. The Association will also strengthen its partnership with the Plastics Technology Center in Alexandria, Egypt. In addition to impressive sponsor and exhibitor lineups, PLASTEX 2008 is expected to welcome more than 24,000 visitors from 18 countries.
“This year’s edition of PLASTEX is an excellent event to invest in, since it gathers the biggest industry names and sets the tone for what is expected to be a solid-five year run for the plastics sector. It also provides a vehicle for us to further strengthen our presence in what has been a very strong and receptive Egyptian market. In PLASTEX 2008, QAPCO will represent QATOFIN and dedicate a corner of its stand to the company, representing a vital petrochemical joint venture that is being implemented now between QAPCO (63 per cent), TOTAL (36 per cent) and QP (1 per cent) to establish a Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) plant in Mesaieed, adjacent to the existing QAPCO plant,” said Dr. Mohammed Yousef Al-Mulla, General Manager, QAPCO.
“Last year, PLASTEX posted a record EUR 230 million in business deals; we hope that our support can be influential in surpassing this figure and thus help further boost Egypt’s business and economic activities,” he added.
Organised by ACG-ITF, PLASTEX 2008 will showcase the latest machinery and equipment, raw materials and auxiliaries, technical parts, reinforced plastics, and plastics industry services, such as the German exhibitor Zwick Roell AG’s enhanced universal testing machines for applications and laboratory requirements. PLASTEX, held in Cairo every 18 months, has emerged as the top launching vehicle into the vibrant African-Arab plastics sector, which has benefited significantly from the Middle East’s property and construction boom.
“The rapid infrastructural development enveloping the MENA region has significantly increased demand for reliable, innovative and economical plastic products and services. As an event partner we are pleased to be part of initiatives to provide much-needed direction to a burgeoning industry. Through PLASTEX 2008 we hope to further expand our presence in this very promising growth region,” added Claudio Celata, Managing Director, Assocomaplast.
“The development boom sweeping the economically vibrant MENA region has elevated demand for higher-quality plastic products and at much greater quantities. PLASTEX encourages industry players to unify efforts to capitalize on this growth area rather than taking a haphazard approach. We have managed to design an event that serves as an excellent platform for plastics processors to assess where they stand in terms of technologies, methods and management, and thus help them improve their strategic position in this highly competitive market,” concluded Ahmed Mostafa, PLASTEX Project Manager, ACG-ITF.
