UAE- Sixth edition of Paper Arabia opens today

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The sixth edition of Paper Arabia is set to open today and expects to host around 7,500 trade visitors during the three-day event, its organiser revealed at a news conference on Monday. Manufacturers, converters, distributors and traders from all over the world are expected to visit the show to grow business and share expertise. There will more than 130 exhibitors from 22 countries, according to the organiser. The Middle East is one of the important markets for exporters, according to industry experts at the news conference. They mentioned that the UAE produces 60 per cent of the country's demand and 40 per cent demand is being met through import. The demand for paper is shrinking in developed world, but the demand is increasing in developing world, they said, adding: "So we are looking at emerging markets for growth." Consumption of tissue paper is increasingly very high in the UAE because of huge inventory of hotels and more are coming soon, according to one of the exhibitors. The organiser, quoting a recent data, revealed at the news conference that the Middle East and Africa paper consumption jumped by 11 per cent to 20 million tonnes in 2012, compared with 18 million tonnes in 2010. The region imports 100 per cent of its printing and stationery paper with China, Indonesia and India being the biggest exporters, followed by Canada, Brazil and some European countries. Moreover, paper machinery is 100 per cent imported from China, Taiwan, India, Europe and Egypt. Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, organisers of the show, revealed that the Middle East main focus was tissue, converting & corrugated paper. He said that the UAE alone has five major tissue mills, namely Abu Dhabi National Paper Mill, Crown Paper Mill, Emirates Paper Mill, Queenex Paper Mill and Fine Hygienic Paper, together meeting 60 per cent of local demand, while the rest is met by imports. Khanna said: "The UAE imports paper and tissues mainly from Asia, and specifically from Indonesia, making it a key re-export center in the Middle East region. The paper industry saw spectacular growth in recent years, with production centres, paper mills and paper converting businesses growing both in numbers and output."