Investments in plastics and tube industries are on the upswing defying the global financial crisis, as investors shift their sights to industrial investments that are safer and more promising, said an industry expert.

Satish Khanna, general manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, underscored the significance of the plastics sector which attracted $5 billion investments last year in GCC with over 1,253 industrial units operating in the Gulf.

He was addressing a press conference to announce the opening of Arabplast and Tekno/Tube Arabia 2009 exhibitions which runs from January 10 to 13 at Dubai International Exhibition Center.

In its 18th year, the region’s leading exhibitions on plastic, rubber, industrial machines, metal works, tubes and pipes will host some of the industry's biggest players.

Arabplast 2009 is sponsored by Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), Abu Dhabi Polymers Park and Borouge. Al Fajer Information and Service is the  co-organizer of both exhibitions.

'Plastics industry now accounts for 10.6 per cent of the total manufacturing in GCC, of which 4 per cent investment is plastics and petrochemicals and this sector employs over 9 per cent of the total work force in the GCC,' Khanna explained.

'GCC Plastics industry grew fivefold in 1995-2007. In 1990 there were only 326 plastics manufacturers, with an investment of $932 million and a work force of 17,500.'

'The designated capacity of GCC in plastic production was 2.3 million tons last year where it was 0.50 million ton in 1990,' Khanna remarked.

Both exhibitions will feature the latest technology while simultaneously offering an interactive platform for key industry players.

The rich source of raw materials such as petrochemicals and a demand projection of double digit growth in plastic rubber and tubes sectors in this region, will significantly contribute to the growth of both exhibitions.

'A number of global players are eager to make an entry into the Middle East market despite the credit crunch and will present the dynamics of plastics and rubber development to visiting trade professionals mainly from all across the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian sub-continent,' Khanna added.

Arabplast and Tekno/Tube Arabia 2009 have attracted 900 exhibitors representing 34 countries at a total area of 35,000 sq m.

The overwhelming registration from exhibitors is a confirmation that the Middle East and especially Dubai and the Gulf are not affected by the crisis as it is exaggerated in the global media,' said Joerg Duebelt, head of International Messe Duesseldorf GmbH, Messe Duesseldorf GmbH, one of the leading trade fair organizers in Germany, and co-organizer of Arabplast and Tekno/Tube Arabia 2009.

The Middle East market is a vibrant market where all areas of technology, tubes, plastics, industrial machinery and metals are being used in a vast number of applications, he noted.

Arabplast and Tekno/Tube Arabia 2009 will offer visitors access to a wide spectrum of technological innovations in the plastics, packaging, rubber, chemical and polymer and petrochemical, tubes and pipes, industrial machinery & machine tools, metal working machinery and welding machinery industries.

Duebelt pointed out that Dubai had successfully emerged as the regional hub of the Middle East markets.

'We felt the keenness of the overseas exhibitors to build business relations with trade visitors from the Middle East in an effort to widen their scope of business,' he said.

'They found this part of the world emerging, therefore lucrative for their international operations,' Duebelt added.-TradeArabia News Service