The numero international processing, filling and packaging technology event for Asia, ProPak Asia,returns to Bangkok from June 16-19, 2010 to the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).With greater trade and networking opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike, more international technology will be on display than ever before in the show’s 26 year history.
Organised by Bangkok Exhibition Services Co Ltd (BES) and supported by many government and private organisations, the 18th edition of the event or ProPak Asia 2010, is set to offer a higher level of business opportunities in the food, drink and pharma sectors. The highest demand for packaging and the associated equipment come from the food processing industry at 50 per cent and from the pharmaceutical industry at 25 per cent.
Says Mitsuo Amano of Japan Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association “ProPak Asia is the premier international exhibition of packaging and processing machinery, materials and associated technology. For our members in the supply side, the mega-event is a promising opportunity to present our products and solutions live and in person to a dedicated buying audience from throughout Asia and the Middle East.”
“Demand from existing and new customers keen to return to ProPak Asia this year is high. The potential of Japanese manufacturers is second to none so that I believe we could perform a lot better,” adds Amano.
The groups currently being targeted for ProPak Asia 2010 are from Italy, Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan Region, UK and USA. No other event in Asia attracts participation from the leading packaging and processing technology associations from these countries and regions. About 30,000 visitors from 44 countries and around 850 exhibitors are expected to participate this year.
For India, particularly the event is of great significance, given the fact that the Indian packaging sector is growing phenomenally with the rising demand for “Ready-to-Eat” and "On-the Go" food products. The market volume of the Indian packaging industry amounts to about Rs 77, 570 crore and has constantly grown by approximately 15 per cent year on year. It is predicted that the pace of growth will accelerate to between 20 per cent and 25 per cent over the next five years.
ProPak Asia is sure to provide maximum opportunities for Indian manufacturers to showcase new developments in the packaging and processing industry in response to the rising regional demand.
The PharmaTech Asia in particular will be an excellent platform for members of the pharmaceutical industry and researchers to explore innovative products and services as well as new developments in processing and packaging sectors.
“The pharmaceutical industry in India, which is estimated to be worth $ US4.5 billion and grows at about eight to nine per cent annually, is in fact a driving force behind the growth of processing and packaging sectors,” said Daara B. Patel, Secretary-General of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA).
“By attending the event, we expect to be provided an opportunity to see top-of-the-range innovations, to establish network and to identify industry partners for business matching”, he added.
“Demand from existing and new customers keen to return to ProPak Asia this year is high. The potential of India manufacturers is second to none so that I believe we could perform a lot better,” said Patel
ProPak Asia which holds significant strength in the food, drink and pharmaceutical sectors will continue to focus on its primary development sectors on brewing and beverage technology (DrinkTech Asia), pharmaceutical technology (PharmaTech Asia), plastic materials, moulding and processing equipment (PlasTech Asia) and laboratory and test equipment (Lab & Test Asia) in 2010.
According to Supawan Teerarat, Exhibition Director, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) “backed by the Royal Thai Government’s generous support and the country’s world-class infrastructure for international events, ProPak Asia is sure to be a large pool of opportunities for Indian manufacturers to showcase new developments in the packaging and processing industry in response to the rising regional demand.”
“TCEB, as a government organization, is very happy to facilitate Indian businessmen in all possibility by offering numerous privileges under the campaign named 'Extra Night Extra Smile'. The 'Extra Night, Extra Smile' incentive was aimed at increasing the number of exhibition visitors at short notice and encouraging them to stay longer in Thailand.”
For delegate groups that stay three nights or longer, a fourth night would be offered free. In addition, the 'Extra Smile' component would deliver special group fast tracking and airport transfers, a complimentary Bangkok city tour by tram car, plus special discounts at leading department stores and entertainment outlets for delegates.
“Thailand is the ASEAN’s centric and the perfect business platform for MICE industry. It is a place where opportunities lie everywhere and are within your reach. TCEB, as the government agency under the supervision of Prime Minister Office, is working dedicatedly to promote the country by hands on all possible supports to the organizers who would like to organize the events in Thailand. With our rendered massive supports, we truly believe that the exhibitions held in Thailand will be executed successfully. This year, Thailand’s MICE industry is expected to attract half a million business travellers, with project revenues of between 41 billion THB and Thailand has an impressive record of growth as an exhibition capital, and in 2010 we expect the sector to grow by p to 10 per cent,” adds Supawan.
Says David Aitken, Managing Director of Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd, organiser of this event, “ProPak Asia 2010 will feature more international content than any previous edition and justify the claim that it delivers real business for suppliers in Asia and increasingly other developing markets. It will ensure Indian manufactures an impressive visibility to reach out to their target visitors.”
“Despite the long-standing political conflict, optimism is still high. More than 900 technology leaders have already confirmed to join the event and express themselves to more than 32,000 trade visitors from diverse sectors. Food and beverage manufacturing and packing, consumer goods, chemical industry, brewing and bottling industry, pharmaceutical and cosmetics producers will attend the event this year among others,” Aitken added.
Innovative solutions on offer range from processing machinery, packaging machinery, code and label printing, flexible packaging technology paper & corrugated box making technology, lab equipment, brewery and beverage technology equipment, fruit juice & dairy technology, pharmaceutical & cosmetics packaging & processing technology, personal care products industry, refrigeration systems to packaging accessories, machine components, material handling and storage equipment.
In addition to this , the knowledge sharing sessions include conferences, seminars and workshops conducted by a panel of experts and guest speakers from industry associations, each in collaboration with national and international technology institutes.
The ProPak Asia exhibition in 2009 was a great success with sales confirmed on site and many orders placed for the latest technology for processing and packaging solutions. It attracted 843 exhibiting companies from 39 countries and regions.
The number of trade visitors to the four-day event was also phenomenal: 29,600 from 63 countries with key Asian buyers from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India, Myanmar, China, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The last year's event generated estimated sales of $ 3,500 million with post-event trade up to more than $10,000 million. This reflects rising investments, purchasing power and opportunities within the region's processing and packaging industries. Groups of high-potential investors from China, Japan, Vietnam Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the US, France and the UK also visited the show.
ProPak Asia 2010 expects to see a greater interest from international trade visitors as the Asian economies show positive signs of recovery.