Dubai, 13th Sept. 2009 (WAM): The Middle East paper industry imports 62 per cent of the market requirements, as regional production has not been able to keep pace with the rising demand.

This will be one of the key issues to be discussed at Paper Arabia 2009, a three-day exhibition to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from October 27 to 29. The paper market in the region is around 8 million metric tonnes per year. Of this total, 3 million is supplied locally and 5 million imported.

Al Fajer Information and Services, which is organizing the show for the second year, says the Middle East is one of the fastest growing markets in the world for the paper industry. However, domestic supply has grown significantly, especially in the UAE and KSA, but still remains low.

Paper Arabia 2009 will bring together players from the paper, tissue and converting industry. This show offers opportunities to the manufactures and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper tubes & cores, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to reach to the Middle East and North African markets.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, said: "Paper Arabia 2009 comes at a time where Dubai is emerging as a hub for the papers industry not only in the Middle East but also beyond. This industry is worth out US $ 3.5 billion in the Middle East where the UAE alone captures 30 per cent of that.""The show embraces not only paper industry but also tissue, converting, recycling, and hygienic industries which are witnessing tremendous growth where the UAE is one of the leading players in these sectors. The paper industry is registering spectacular growth with several production centers and paper converting businesses flourishing," said Khanna.

Khanna added: "The debut industry expo, Paper Arabia 2007, was highly successful with trade visitors surpassing expectations. Significantly, the show brought into the limelight the regional paper industry and the need to meet the local demand."Paper converting is a process by which paper is used to make paper products such as envelops, paper bags, boxes, containers, per tubes and cores etc.

Khanna added: "Paper converting is flourishing in the GCC. Companies working in this industry are adopting world class standards and the demand has not slow down and export takes a big slice of the production."Paper Arabia, with more than 140 exhibitors from 25 countries from across the world, will be a key platform for traders and industry players to interact. The shows participants include leading global names from the UAE, Italy, Jordan, France, China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Germany, India, USA and the UK.

"The show will tackle the significance of the paper industry in the Middle East and its potential growth. Through the wide presence of leaders, manufacturers, converters, distributors and traders from all over the world in this industry, the show will be an ideal venue to make business and share expertise," Mr. Khanna added.

Khanna said that global end-users of paper were shifting their focus to Dubai and the region compared favourably with Europe for cost-efficiency and faster delivery, which are considered good factors to be on par with global peers.

Khanna added that the number of exhibitors had increased this year in spite of the crisis. He expected more than 5,000 trade visitors to visit the three-day event.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.