Paper industry remains vibrant in the UAE

21/09/2014 01:37 AST

The UAE paper industry is witnessing exponential growth due to the increasing number of manufacturers and significant development of paperwork conversion sector in recent years, say industry experts. Paper conversion sector includes producing all major paper products such as envelopes, paper bags, cardboard and other products.

Paper consumers in the world are looking at Dubai as an alternative hub for Europe due to its cost effectiveness and speed of delivery, making it a strong candidate for acquiring lead position in this industry,

says Lamyae Zafati, Exhibition Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services organisers of Paper Arabia 2014 that opens on Sunday at the World Trade Centre.

Talking about the tissues industry, Zafati said: “Although production capacity of paper tissues in the UAE is very high, factories in the UAE have plans to increase their export to neighboring countries, on the strength of their advanced world class machineries used in the production of these products.”

The 7th edition of Paper Arabia 2014 show is 25 per cent bigger than previous edition, which clearly demonstrates robustness of the paper industry in the UAE and regionally, in products as well as machinery.

The exhibition also provides an opportunity for major machinery manufacturing firms and other service providers to showcase their latest innovations.

China and Indonesia account for over a quarter of the paper brought into the UAE. These two countries export more paper to the UAE ($1.04 billion) than Germany, USA, Italy, Sweden and UK put together ($ 974 million), according to statistics released by Dubai Customs as well as UN Comtrade studies.

The exhibition has also attracted companies specialised in tissues, packaging and recycling products.

Zafati while speaking to the press on Saturday, ahead of today’s event disclosed that new companies are launching business in this field. Soft packaging is seeing high demand. Corrugated paper is being used for new patterns. Tissue paper is being recycled. Green campaigns are running in most of the countries.

Saudi Gazette