Packaging and processing under one roof

Egypt is the most populated country in MENA region at 90 million people. It has one of the largest economies in Africa and despite the fact that agriculture remains a major industry, domestic industries have started to grow to serve both local and export markets.

Egypt's economy is expected to grow 4% in 2015, according to the semi-annual World Economic Outlook released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The economy, which grew by 2.2% in 2014, is now forecast to improve by 4.0% this year, up from the previous projection of 3.5%. This inspite of the many challenges the economy is facing.    

The IMF projection is not far from the government estimates. Egypt’s Investment Minister earlier announced that the country’s economic growth is expected to reach 4.2 – 4.5% in the second half of the current fiscal year.  Political stability and pro-business policies have been seen to take positive effects on investors.

Opportunities in emerging industries
Egypt’s rapidly growing food processing, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing industries are expected to be at the forefront of the industrial sector. Packaging equipment for the food processing industry represents 50% of the total market, which is growing at a pace of 25% annually. This scenario opens up huge opportunities for international companies.

The Afro Packaging Exhibition 2015 will feature over 400 exhibitors on space area of 17,000 sq.m. who are coming from Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon,Kuwait, Bahrain and Syria) European countries (Germany, Turkey, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, UK, France, Sweden, Greece, Poland, Belgium and Scandinavia countries) and Asian countries (China, Taiwan, India, Pakistan and South Korea). These include major industry players and leading brands interested in exploring the MENA market.

More than 20,000 visitors are expected to come from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Algeria, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Turkey.  

Egypt’s dynamic packaging and food processing sectors have drawn the attention of international investors seeking new business opportunities in this part of the region. Packaging and food processing industry is the backbone of the Egyptian economy due to its strong connection to the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors.

Afro Packaging Exhibition 2015 (or the 4th International Packaging and Food Processing Technology Show in Egypt and North Africa) is scheduled to take place on May 14-17, 2015 at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center (CICC), Cairo, Egypt.