Double-digit Growth of Imports of Plastics, Printing And Packaging Machinery

Among the ECOWAS-The Economic Community of West African States as a regional group of 15 West African countries, Ghana has developed into a „Donor darling” of the international giver community. This success is founded on political and economic stability. Further on Ghana belongs to the out-performers in Subsahara-Africa, with gdp-growth rates of considerably more than 7 per cent (ECOWAS average: 5%). This growth is driven by divert industry sectors. Private investments into the branches of oil and gas, mining, agriculture, food processing industry, retailing and energy as well as public investments into infrastructural projects made Ghana an important hub for business with West Africa. (Source: GTAI – Wirtschaftstrends Ghana 2012/13, January 2013). According to Martin März, managing director with fairtrade, Ghana is the ideal venue for this leading cross-border trade show.

As stated in the study of GTAI, growing population, increase in consumer consumption as well as the great distance between West Africa and the major consumer goods industries in Europe and South Africa, make a local production certainly worthwhile. These tendencies are supported by the import figures of VDMA for plastics, printing and packaging machinery and equipment into the ECOWAS countries. Compared to the year 2010 the imports in the plastics sector grew by 37.7 per cent from 96.9 up to 133.5 million Euros. A rise from 36.7 to 64.5 million Euros represents an increase of 75.7 per cent in imports of printing machinery and equipment. And in the same period, the imports in the packaging sector to the ECOWAS states increased by 52.1 per cent up to 223.3 million Euros.

    
Industry experts agree that this is not the end of this development. „I am convinced: in 10 years from now we will witness the great Africa boom. By then, for us working in the field of packaging technology, business-wise the continent will play a similarly important role as Asia does today,” claims Friedbert Klefenz, President of Bosch Packaging Technology and Chairman of the board of the packaging machinery sector within VDMA.

The trade fair specialist fairtrade Messe recognized this potential and launch the plastprintpack West Africa. The 1st International Trade Show on Plastics, Composites, Chemistry and Printing & Packaging Solutions and Material is scheduled to be held from 3 - 5 December 2013 at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana. According to the organisers this event will be the „place-to-be”, to meet buyers from West Africa as well as technology leaders from Europa, Asia and America. Two decades of experience in organising trade fairs and a strong institutional partner AHK- Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana make these targets realistic.

Notable international market- and technology leaders have already booked their stands. Cutting edge technologies will be presented also in the Austrian pavilion as “Expo Austria” will be present with major Austrian machinery and equipment manufacturers, namely: BSW, Engel, Erema, HTW and NGR.

To create valuable synergies for exhibitors and visitors alike, plastprintpack West Africa is held in conjunction with agrofood West Africa, the 1st International Trade Show on Agriculture & Livestock, Food, Beverage & Packaging Technology and Food, Beverages & Hospitality.

www.ppp-westafrica.com 

About fairtrade:
Ever since its foundation in 1991, fairtrade ranks among the leading organisers of professional international trade fairs in the emerging markets of Africa and the Middle East. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, fairtrade’s management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Being a member of UFI The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, fairtrade organises events according to the UFI quality norms.


 
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