Regional containerboard segment growing above global average at 3-4%

Regional containerboard segment growing above global average at 3-4%

Dubai: The paper containerboard segment in the region has been growing above the global average of 2. 5 per cent at 3-4 per cent on the back of the strong GDP growth, evolution of e-commerce and population growth, an expert said at the Propaper Dubai 2023 expo. "The commodity industry in the region is also subject to technicalities like supply and demand, performance etc., but we are seeing the containerboard industry growing forward and accordingly regular investments are also happening to bridge the gap between demand and supply," said Eng. Sami Al-Safran, President of the Arab Federation for Paper, Printing and Packaging Industries (AFPPPI), and Group President of the Saudi-based Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO). Cost inflation, environmental concerns, raw material availability and policy vacuum are some of the challenges faced by the industry in the region, but this is offset by opportunities such as sustainability, e-commerce development, economic growth and a large end-user segment, he said in a presentation at the ongoing Propaper Dubai 2023, organised by Verifair at Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City. The show also incorporates Super Sourcing Dubai under the auspices of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). "Propaper Dubai 2023 is focused on bringing