India can cooperate with Gulf in plastic industry

President of All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) Jayesh Rambhia said this is an opportunity for GCC and India to co-operate and supplement each other.

AIPMA is the co-organiser of Plastivision Arabia which is being held from May 14 to 17 featuring 150 exhibitors from 20 countries.

The $25-billion Indian plastics industry has the largest number of exhibitors -- nearly half of the total participation -- while the rest are from China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the UAE and the UK, according to a statement released here.

The packaging sector -- a key driver of the plastics industry -- in the UAE is valued at $1.84 billion in 2011, registering a growth at a CAGR of 4.27 per cent, according to Global Industry Analysts.

It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.68 per cent to reach $2.3 billion in 2016.

The opening event was attended by Indian ambassador to the UAE, M K Lokesh.