The UAE produced US$ 27 million worth of paper in 2009, a 25 percent increase in the production capacity, which rose to 10 million metric tonnes from 8 million metric tonnes in 2008.
Further evidence on the evolution of this industry comes from the fact that Al Fajer information and Services has decided to hold the Paper Arabia every year, instead of every two years. According to Al Fajer, the show demonstrates the UAE’s stature in regional and global paper industry and its expanding reach across the world as an efficient business hub with robust infrastructure.
Paper Arabia 2010, a three-day exhibition, is to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from September 26 to 28, 2010. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, said: “In the Middle East, regional demand for paper is higher than the domestic supply where two third of the consumption is imported. Some of the new international players from the paper, tissue and converting industry will make their debut for the first time through Paper Arabia 2010. This show offers opportunities to the manufacturers and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to reach to the Middle East and North African markets.
” Paper Arabia, with more than 150 exhibitors from 30 countries from across the world, will be a key platform for traders and industry players to interact. The show’s participants include leading global names from the paper, tissue and converting sectors.
There are some 25 players in the paper industry in the UAE and regional business expansion of these companies has also brought in increasing competition. In this context, industry sources indicate that the industry could be on the verge of a consolidation to shore up profitability according to a leading paper supplier in the Gulf.
