Mideast countries consumed 19 million tons of paper in 2011, and this figure is anticipated to increase into 29 million tons in the coming eight years, marking an increase of 52.6 per cent, said the organisers of a trade fair that opened in Dubai today.

Paper Arabia 2012, the first-of-its-kind industry expo, was inaugurated by Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development, at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event will continue until October 3.

According to the Indonesian Pulp and Paper Association, one of the world’s biggest associations specializing in paper, social media and the large dependence on digital technologies are having minimal impact on the consumption of paper in the world and the Middle East region.

The per capita consumption of paper in the UAE is 175 kg, against the global average consumption of 62 kg. The same figure reaches 320 kg in the US. These international industry statistics were released today on the sidelines of the inauguration of Paper Arabia 2012.

Al Qamzi said: “The UAE is a key player in the paper industry in the region, which is reflected in the high number of publications and publishing houses across the UAE. Local manufacturers and suppliers of paper are adopting modern solutions and taking the right steps to protect the environment and keeping costs to the minimum.”

“The domestic paper industry has also expanded its footprint in the past few years to meet the different requirements of the market as well as competition, by focusing on high quality, which is among the goals upheld by Paper Arabia,” he added.

Al Qamzi noted that many specialised companies in the paper industry have chosen Dubai as their headquarters for various reasons, including the excellent infrastructure, ease of doing business and convenient access to markets. Dubai is committed to support businesses and investors in the paper industry and promote sector performance.

A4 paper captures the lion’s share in the consumption trends in the UAE, according to Suresh Kilam, executive director, Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), world's second largest pulp and paper producing company and the largest vertically integrated pulp and paper producer in Asia, excluding Japan.

Kilam added: “APP sold more than 700,000 tons of paper to the Middle East in 2011 and our sales volumes will touch 1 million tons in 2012, valued at $800 million.”

The global production of paper reached 415 million tons between January 2012 and now.  APP produces 14.5 million tons of this entire production, out of which one million tons is sold to the region.

Paper Arabia 2012 will continue until Wednesday with the participation of 125 companies from 20 countries. The UAE is playing an instrumental role in re-exporting paper and tissues to the entire Mena region. It is also a producer of paper with more than 12 factories based in the country.

Kilam added: “The UAE has a major role to play in re-exporting paper. It is feasible for the Gulf countries to trade and re-export paper instead of producing it for the costs incurred in desalination of water used in the production of paper.

Satish Khanna, general manager, Al Fajer Information and Services which organizes the show, said that Paper Arabia has positioned itself as an ideal platform for international companies to target the rapidly growing paper market in the Mena region. The show throughout the three days will highlight key regional industry segments.

Elite players from the industry are participating in Paper Arabia 2012 as they believe it offers opportunities to the manufacturers and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to access the lucrative Mena markets. – TradeArabia News Service