ABU DHABI, 21 May, 05 (WAM) - PLASTEX 2005, the largest exhibitionfor plastic and rubber industries in the region to be held inCairo from May 26-29, will witness a strong European presence.

Exhibitors from Germany, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands,Greece, Switzerland, Austria and Turkey will gather for the four-dayevent, which provides an ideal meeting point for manufacturers,suppliers, traders, distributors, investors and consumers.

With the plastic and rubber industry in the region projectedto remarkable annual growth over the next five years, tradersand investors from around the world have been showing keen interestto tap the Middle East market, according to a press release.

"The growth of the Middle East plastic and rubber market inthe last few years has been remarkable, and it is set to growfurther in the coming years. Investors from around the worldare eager to take advantage of this booming market, particularlythose from Europe. The large number of exhibitors from Europeat PLASTEX 2005, as well as the fact that the largest Europeanmanufacturing companies are participating at the show, is testimonyto the global attention the market has been inviting. Europeaninvestors have been watching the Middle East market to tap itsvast potential," said Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman of ACG-ITF, organizersof the event.

320 exhibitors from 31 countries will come under one roof atPLASTEX 2005, including three leading companies from the plasticand petrochemicals industry in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region - Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Company (SIDPEC), themain sponsor to the event, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation(SABIC), and Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO).

"Plastic is a versatile material finding new applications intoday's rapidly evolving world, offering ever new opportunities.

PLASTEX 2005 seeks to focus on ways to make use of these opportunitiesin the dynamic Middle East market while tackling the challengeseffectively," Ghozzi said.

"The region is slowly emerging as the world's largest producerof petrochemicals and plastics. The fact that plastic productionin Middle East is growing faster than in any other region, combinedwith its excellent export infrastructure and logistics, makesMiddle East the ideal investment destination in the sector,"he added.

Egypt is a major importer of plastics, having consumed plasticmaterials and resins worth $ 1.65 billion in 2003 alone, andwith more factories coming up, the demand is expected to growat 10 per cent annually for the next three years. The most populouscountry in the region, Egypt is strategically located to caterfor the Middle East and North African markets, thereby providingan ideal platform for exhibitors to focus on the regional market.

ACG-ITF has been organising high-profile international exhibitionslike ITCE, the leading exhibition for Textile, Embroidery, SewingMachinery & Accessories, and AUTOMECH, the biggest Vehicles,Buses, Motorcar Workshops, Automobile Spare Parts & Accessoriesexhibition in the region, in addition to other successful internationaltrade business exhibitions.