INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Interview with Plastivision Arabia Chairman Harish Dharamsi

The

countdown for Plastivision Arabia 2016 has begun. Having firmly established itself as the best regional
sourcing point within the GCC with its past two editions, Plastivision Arabia is gearing up for its third edition, which
will be take place in Sharjah, UAE, from February 22 to 25, 2016. Like its previous two iterations, the plastics expo
will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah, a premier exhibition facility in the UAE, known to host the regions most
popular trade exhibitions and some of the top-of-the-range, highly focused B2B and B2C shows. To be held along
with Plastivision Arabia is Arabiamold 2016, a premier international trade fair for mold-making, tooling, design
and application development.
The importance of the GCC as a work and travel destination has increased with the announcement of world events
like the World Expo in Dubai in 2020 and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The GCC has always placed huge
emphasis on tourism and real estate and the All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA), the organizers
of Plastivision Arabia, look to capitalize on the fast-expanding construction and packaging industries in the region,
which offer prospects for tremendous growth. Plastivision Arabia 2016 aims to provide regional manufacturers
instant access to new machinery, technologies and materials.

In an interview with Lekhraj Ghai of POLYMERUPDATE, Harish Dharamsi, Chairman - Plastivision Arabia 2016,
discusses the highlights of the upcoming event and the opportunities that the GCC region presents for plastics
industry professionals.
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Interview of Harish Dharamsi (HD) with Lekhraj Ghai (LG):

LG: What is Plastivision Arabia all about? How is it
different from Plastivision India?
HD: Plastivision Arabia is AIPMAs initiative in
partnership with Expo center, Sharjahan arm of
Sharjah Chamber of Commerceto provide an
opportunity for Indian manufacturers to showcase
their products and services to the Middle East and
African markets. Plastivision Arabia 2016 will place
special emphasis on processing, filling and packaging
and decision makers from the regional processing and
re-packaging industry will be visitors to the show. The
steady rise in demand for finished plastics products,
which is set to increase further on the back of a
growing economy, rising consumer sentiment and a
slew of mega events across the region, has prompted
us to host a special pavilion Plastiworld featuring an
extensive range of finished plastics products.
Plastivision India, on the other hand, is meant for the
Indian market.
LG: What are the advantages that Sharjah offers for
plastics industry related events such as Plastivision
Arabia? How supportive is the government of UAE
for such international trade shows?
HD: Sharjah is a manufacturing hub in the UAE and is
home to major polymer convertors. Moreover, their
government is very supportive and has partnered this
event through the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce.
LG: What is the expected number of exhibitors and
visitors in Plastivision Arabia 2016?
HD: We are expecting 250+ Indian exhibitors and
10,000+ focused visitors from across the world.
LG: How much business does AIPMA expect to
generate through Plastivision Arabia 2016?
HD: During Plastivision Arabia 2014, all the machines
displayed live were sold. Naturally, we expect to do
more business this time around.

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LG: Has there been a change in the space

allocations as compared to Plastivision Arabia
2014?
HD: Many of our exhibitors are already asking for
increased space. Participation from China and
Taiwan has also increased exponentially. Our
marketing efforts have attracted exhibitors from
European countries also. If the situation demands,
we may open up one more hall to incorporate the
increased number of exhibitors.
LG: How will Plastivision Arabia enhance growth in
the Indian plastics industry? How does it contribute
towards the Prime Ministers Make in India
initiative?
HD: The GCC countries have been traditionally
considered as Indian market and showcasing there
increases Indian exports. After our Prime Ministers
UAE visit and assurance from the UAE government of
enhanced investment in India, many state
governments like Bihar, UP, Odisha and Himachal
Pradesh are joining as State Partners and will
showcase investment opportunities in their
respective states.
LG: What are your views on environmental
sustainability and plastics recycling? What efforts
are being taken by AIPMA to address
environmental challenges through Plastivision
Arabia?
HD: AIPMA hosts a recycling pavilion in Plastivision
and educates visitors about latest developments in
recycling and waste management. We also have a
Medical pavilion, which highlights the use of
plastics in the medical field. This particular pavilion
attracted 25% of the total visitors with genuine
enquiries in the previous Plastivision Arabia
exhibition.

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LG: How has participation from China been in this
edition of Plastivision Arabia given the slowdown in
Chinas economy?
HD: Participation from China and Taiwan has in fact
increased many folds in Plastivision 2016 as they feel
that the GCC market is still vibrant with upcoming
global events like the World Expo 2020 and the
football World Cup.
LG: How intense is competition within the plastics
industry exhibition space? What are the highlights of
Plastivision Arabia 2016 that will set it apart from
other similar events?
HD: Today, competition exists in every field and we
strive to set high standards within the exhibition
space. To attract quality and focused visitors, we have
worked out a VIP Buyers program in various GCC and
African countries with the help of local associations,
in which we offer to pay for the airfare for selected
visitors.

LG: How important are concurrent events like Arabia

Mold for the success of Plastivision Arabia?
HD: Moulds are an inseparable part of the plastics
processing industry and hence a mould show always
complements a plastics show and are beneficial for
each other.
LG: Are there any existing trade barriers that deter
plastics trade between India and the Middle East?
HD: There are no trade barriers between India and the
GCC countries.
LG: Tell us about your company Aryavart Chemicals.
HD: Aryavart Chemicals is into the manufacture of
PVC Stabilizers and One Pack systems. It is a trusted
name in the PVC processing industry since 1974. Our
products are exported to many countries and our
associate maintains stocks in Dubai to ensure timely
deliveries in any quantity.

Harish Dharamsi is a past President of the All India Plastics

Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) and Chairman of the 3rd
Plastivision Arabia 2016. He has vast experience as a businessman
and has made rich contributions in different capacities at AIPMA
and other organizations. As AIPMA President he led delegations to
UAE, China and Germany. Mr. Dharamsi has been a member of the
National Governing Council of CIPET, a premier plastic training and
research institute in India set by the government of India. He has
also been a member of the National Council of CII (Confederation
of Indian Industries) and a member of Working Group on
petrochemicals set up by the government of India.
Associated with the paints and PVC industry for more than 35
years, Mr. Dharamsi is Director at Aryavart Chemicals, a leading
manufacturer of PVC stabilizers.

END
For further information, commentary and interviews, please contact Lekhraj Ghai at POLYMERUPDATE on
+91 9967828215 or e-mail lekhraj@polymerupdate.com

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September 11, 2015

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