Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The eighth edition of Paper One Show kicked off Tuesday at the Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) supported by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) with the participation of over 160 major international and regional paper manufacturers and dealers from 30 countries, along with many national and local businesses and world reputed brands specialised in the paper industry.

The event, which is to be wrapped up on February 23, was inaugurated by Abdullah Sultan Al-Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Chairman of ECS, Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Second Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, SCCI, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of ECS, Sultan Shattaf, Director of Sales and Marketing Department at ECS, and Eng. Sami Al-Safran, President of the Arab Federation for Paper, Printing and Packaging Industries (AFPPPI), along with a host of government officials, members of SCCI’s and ECS’s members of BoDs, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the event’s organisers and sponsors.

The officials toured the exhibition, organised by Al-Furat Fair Organizer, as they were briefed on its pavilions and stands, in addition to the state-of-the-art paper and cardboard products, printing and packaging machines requirements, production lines, and raw materials used in the paper industry. They also listened to an explanation from the technicians and experts on the bespoke products and cutting-edge technologies in the exhibition.

Abdullah Sultan Al-Owais said: “Hosting the Paper One Show event reflects the increasing quality and growth rates of exhibitions hosted by ECS in light of the pioneering efforts made by SCCI to support ECS as one of its vital affiliates and enable it to attract innovative events and exhibitions.” Al-Owais praised the wide participation and the presentation of modern global trends adopted in the paper industry – especially in terms of providing technologies and products that drive markets to adopt sustainable work mechanisms which contribute to environmental conservation.

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa pointed out that Paper One Show’s previous edition saw the participation of about 100 companies, and in this edition we have over 160 exhibitors, which means an increase of 60% reflecting the ECS’s reputation and the successes of all the exhibitions it hosts. Al-Midfa highlighted the event’s importance in giving the chance to decision makers in the paper industry to exchange expertise and experiences, conclude deals, build partnerships, and present live shows of cutting-edge machines and technologies.

Eng. Tariq Fakkas, Executive Director of Al-Furat Fair Organizer, said: “Paper One Show is one of the key events specialised in the paper industry locally and globally. Its importance lies in its success in attracting a large number of visitors and stakeholders and its fulfilment of the needs of suppliers and consumers in the market of paper trade, manufacturing, equipment and technology, not to mention that it coincides with the MENA Pulp Week conference, organised by Al-Furat too, which boosts the the event and its contribution to supporting the paper industry in the region.

Paper One Show witnesses a large presence of leading companies in the paper industry from several countries, most notably Italy, Turkey, China, India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in addition to many national and foreign companies operating in the UAE, while Saudi Paper Group is the main sponsor for the event.

The exhibition, which is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, provides visitors with the opportunity to explore the latest market trends, modern technology and paper industry techniques, in addition to getting in touch with representatives of major specialised companies and viewing to a wide range of products and brands.

Meanwhile, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has launched the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah as part of its ongoing efforts to establish business councils for friendly countries with the aim of representing their respective business communities and promoting joint cooperation to enhance trade and investment exchange. The council will serve as a platform for Indian businessmen to express their aspirations and desires and will work towards increasing the volume of bilateral trade and investment.

The council was launched during a ceremony held at the SCCI’s headquarters, which was attended by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai, H.E. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park, and Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI.

Also present were Abdulaziz Shattaf, Assistant Director-General of the Communication and Business Sector at the Sharjah Chamber, and Lalu Samuel, Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Indian Business & Professional Council, as well as representatives of the Indian business community working in Sharjah.

Lauding the launch of the Indian Business & Professional Council, Al Owais stressed that the chamber strongly believes in the vital role played by business councils and their valuable contributions to strengthening economic partnerships between business communities and investors.