The 16th edition of the Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals Exhibition opened at the Jeddah Center for forums and events, in the presence of his Saud Bin Abdullah Bin Jalwi, advisor to the Governor of Makkah region, undersecretary of Jeddah Province. The exhibition, in conjunction with the Saudi Print & Pack exhibition 2019 and organized by the Riyadh Exhibitions Company Ltd., will continue until January 20, 2019, presenting an ideal platform for engineers, industrialists and businessmen to identify the latest products, technologies and services within the petrochemical, plastics, printing and packaging sectors. The exhibition is a real opportunity for exhibitors from around the world to highlight their new products, technologies, machinery and equipment used in the petrochemical, plastics, printing and packaging sectors. In addition, it is also the perfect platform to review the investment prospects of these sectors in line with global demand, where exports of chemical products and plastics represent more than two thirds of total Saudi industrial exports and 10% of the overall exports of the kingdom. Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh, Head of Marketing, Riyadh Exhibition Company Ltd., said: "Saudi Arabia pays particular attention to the petrochemical sector as it is one of the main pillars of the Saudi economy. The Saudi market consumes about three and a half million tons of plastic annually, and the plastics sector in the Kingdom is expected to grow at a rate of 3.2 percent a year until 2020. In its 16th edition, the exhibition brings together hundreds of exhibitors in the kingdom, attracting thousands of specialized visitors, businessmen, entrepreneurs, VIPs and decision makers from various industrial sectors." He added: "We are confident in what the exhibition will offer in its current edition as the most prominent event that accompanies the growth of the petrochemical and plastics sectors in the Kingdom. The exhibition is a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of these sectors and increase their contribution to the national economy." This year, the exhibition is supported by both the public and private sectors. SABIC comes to the forefront of support as a diamond sponsor. And Saudi Industrial Development Fund is a sponsor of industrial empowerment. Furthermore, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu is an industry support partner, and Investment Authority a supporting body that opens the way for exchange of knowledge and discussions between companies to create a manufacturing base in the Kingdom in order to familiarize visitors with all the new in the field of plastic and petrochemical industries, and see the latest developments that enhance the continuity of expansion and increase exports to the Saudi market. — SG
