With an emperical forecast of Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the range of 3 to 4 per cent for Middle East and Africa (MEA) paper and pulp market in the next five years, observers believe that the Paper and Pulp Industry growth in the region is being fueled by rising demand for paper consumables including sanitary paper products, paper packaging products, paper boards among others. In this SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE, WHERE To Print examines the drivers of growth as well as the importance of ProPaper Dubai as one of the key agents of growth and how players can tap into the numerous opportunities the show brings to MEA region. Would-be attendees from Nigeria will also find the addendum on UAE Visa Information handy for a stress-free visa application and travel experience.
Paper Industry Market in MEA Region
The Paper Industry comprises of establishments like Paper Mill, Paper Board, Pulp Mill, Pulp and Paper, Pulpwood to name a few. It also includes establishments that use the manufactured paper and paperboard to further convert them into products such as corrugated and solid fibre boxes, folding paperboard boxes, paper bags, cups and plates. Cellulose acetate, rayon, and cellulose esters are examples of products made from cellulose that are used in packaging films and dynamite.
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region comprises many growing economies, which are prospective markets for paper manufatuerers and vendors. The demand for paper in the market is growing on account of increasing urbanization and surge in literacy rates in MEA region, which creates huge demand for paper products such as writing and printing paper, containerboard, newsprint paper, tissue paper etc. It should also be noted that the container board segment is dominating the market due to the increasing demand from various industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics.
With MEA region’s paper products market reaching US$ 10.8 Billion in value in 2021, research firm – IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 13.4 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.7% during 2022 – 2027. Again, the Pulp and Paper market is expected to see a huge demand by 2030. One of the most significant properties of paper is its potential to be recycled numerous times that saves the cost involved in the production of new paper. The recycling of paper is known to conserve natural resources, thus reducing greenhouse emissions, saving energy, and keeping the landfill space free for other types of trash. Therefore, paper as well as its associated by-products is experiencing growth, with the packaging industry gaining momentum in leveraging its eco-friendly advantages.
The demand for paper packaging solutions have also been supported by the growth of e-commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and according to Visa, the country’s online spend is the biggest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with annual spend averaging over US$1,648 per capital spending. Saudi Arabian paper and paper board packaging market valued at USD $1926.3 million in 2020 is anticipated to reach USD $2508.4 million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.2 per cent. This translates to substantial market for packaging, particularly for e-commerce businesses which is driving the demand for various packaging materials like corrugated boxes and plastic packagng films. Other demand drivers in the MENA region include:
- Upsurge in demand for cosmetic packaging with growing uptake of cosmetic products. In the UAE alone, per capita consumption on cosmetics is upwards of USD $294 from USD $247 earlier year.
- Rapid urbanization in African countries is fostering a younger generation of consumers buying processed and packaged foods, which is driving demand for pulp and paper-based packaging as well as products such as tissue papers.
- Increasing preference for paper products with the rising focus on sustainability and environment, fueling billions of dollars of growth for paper and paper-based products.
- Post-pandemic exponential growth in online shopping for food products is directly translating into growth for paper packaging products. The size of the market is huge, and a market like Saudi Arabia alone has a food and beverages market worth USD $45 billion.
- Development of new logistics hubs in Africa is boosting commerce and market expansion, while surge in e-commerce across verticals is also helping to grow sustainable packaging advocacy hence benefiting paper industry.
- The synergy of vendors in the region leveraging each other by means of imports and exports partnership and constantly looking for new applications and use for wood and its components. For instance, according to the United Nation Comtrade database, the United Arab Emirates accounted USD $12.26 million in 2018, for the import of paper and paperboard from Kuwait.
That is why the platform provided by ProPaper Dubai is the perfect meeting place for professionals in paper, board, tissue, pulp, paper product manufacturers, paper mill machinery & chemicals, tissue converting machinery, printing and packaging machinery. As the event showcases exciting and innovative solutions in the paper and allied industries, get ready for the fourth edition of ProPaper Dubai 2025!
ProPaper Dubai 2025
Scheduled to hold from 13 to 15 October at Dubai’s vibrant shopping, culinary and entertainment destination – Festival Arena, Festival City, Dubai, this year’s definitive Trade Fair, Conferences, Awards & Gala Dinner for Paper, Paperboard, Packaging, Corrugation, Tissue, Non-woven & Converting Industry in the MENA region offers comprehensive showcase of the latest technologies that meet the growing needs of paper, tissue, packaging, and hygiene products amongst others. See LIVE machinery demos, availability of unique products at the stalls and discuss business, partnerships, and investments to leverage on the continual growth in the industry as a result of increasing demand for paper products in the Middle East and African (MEA) region. Be sure to explore the opportunities at this annual paper boards exhibition by visiting www.propaperdubai.com for all you need to know and register to attend as Visitor for FEE!
Visitor Profile
The regional event will host representatives from Paper and Tissue Traders/ Paper Converters, Paper Mill Owners, Managers & Supervisors, Paper Technologists, Printers, Publishers, Technology Seekers, Tissue Converters, Tissue Mill Owners, Wholesale Paper Traders, Paper Importers & Exporters Paper Merchants, Traders, Banks and Financial Institutions, Buyers & Sourcing Personel, CEO’s & Decisions Makers, Allied Industry Consultants, Corrugated Box Manufacturers, E-commerce and logistics companies, End Product Users, Food Packaging companies, Gifts & Accessories suppliers, Industry Associations & Academicians, Investors & Promoters, Key Government Officials, and Manufacturers or Suppliers of Machinery, Spares and Consumables.
Positioned as the leading industry event for the region, the show will also host and recognise achievements of great minds, their passion, creativity and sustainable options in the industries through the yearly ProPaper Dubai Awards followed by Dinner and Cocktails. More importantly, the organiser of ProPaper Dubai 2025 – Verifair Dubai has put together the much sought after Conference Programme with theme: Pulp, Paper & Packaging – the future strategies for driving growth in the circular economy for players to connect, learn, and grow via topnotch knowledge sharing, insightful discussions, and sector-specific policy advocacy by experts and government functionaries. Register to attend for FREE now at www.propaperdubai.com
ProPaper Dubai 2025 Conference Programme
Conference Chair: Atul Kaul, Chief Commercial Officer, Arab Paper Manufacturing Co., Saudi Arabia
Chief Guest: H. E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy, Government of United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (invited)
Day 1: Monday, 13 October 2025
10:30 AM: Official Opening Ceremony
Session 1: 11:30 – 13:00: Driving sustainable growth in GCC Containerboard industry by navigating the new Geopolitical challenges & opportunities.
• Opening Remarks & Theme Presentation: Atul Kaul, Chief Commercial Officer, Arab Paper Manufacturing Co., Saudi Arabia
• Legends & Legacies: the untold story of sand-dunes to corn wet milling plant by Hamad Abdulla Al Ghurair, Vice President, Al Ghurair Foods, UAE
• Future investment and growth potential in GCC containerboard industry by Sami Safran, Group CEO, INNOVEST Saudi Arabia, VP – MAF Manafa Featured Trading Company – Waste Management, Board Member – Masirah Holding – Paper Industry
• Outlook for the Global Containerboard industry: challenges and opportunities for Middle East by Bernhard Pascher, Containerboard Overseas Coordinator & Area Sales Manager Middle East, Heinzel Group, Austria
LUNCH BREAK
Session 2: 14:00 – 15:30: Strategic Outlook: Pulp & Fibre Growth in the Middle East (A focused industry dialogue exploring the future of pulp and fibre in the Middle East — covering sustainable investment, innovation trends, and strategic growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving market)
Speakers:
• Kashif Amin, CEO, Ekman Middle East, UAE
• Johan Schirjver, Senior Vice President – Industrial Starch, Al Ghurair-Starch Manufacturing, UAE
Session 3: 15:30 – 17:00: Corrugated Packaging gets smarter, lighter and greener; Sneak peek into the Middle Eastern outlook of the industry.
Day 2: Tuesday, 14 Oct 2025
Session 4: 11:00 – 12:30: Effective strategies for shaping the future of Middle East Tissue industry.
Keynote Speaker:
• Aejaz Ahmed Munshi, General Manager, Star Paper Mill, UAE
Speaker:
• Energy Efficiency in Tissue Converting: Maflex MERS – A Proven Regenerative Energy System for a Sustainable and Efficient Production Model by Andrea Tomei, Area Sales Manager, MAFLEX, Italy
Session 5: 12:30 – 14:00: NEXT- Gen’ Sustainable Packaging; Emerging global trends in ‘plastics free’ packaging designs & materials, circularity and technology integration.
Speakers:
• Pradhip Maharaj, Head- R&D, Packaging, IFFCO, UAE
• Paul Todd, Managing Director, Green Rock Middle East & Asia Pacific, UAE
LUNCH BREAK
Session 6: 15:00 – 16:30: Circularity in Action- Unlocking the potential of paper recycling business in Middle East.
Speakers:
• Enas Sobhy Ali, Head of CSR/ Envirocare Department, TADWEER, UAE
Special Keynote: Advantages of ESG Label; How to recognise your commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance Excellence.
• Eman Al Madani, Manager – Responsible Business, Dubai Chambers, UAE
Session 7: 18:30 – 19 :30/ VVIP Speakers from Federal Govt: Make it in the Emirates – How Paper Industry can drive the sustainable economic growth of ‘United Global Emirates’
• Hamad Abdulla Al Ghurair, Vice President, Al Ghurair Foods, UAE
Pictorial news from ProPaper Dubai 2024 Conference Programme…
VISITING PROPAPER DUBAI 2025
You will need to arrange a visa before your trip to Dubai, the most populous and regional trade, commerce, and tourism hub in United Arab Emirates. According to www.visitdubai.com, there are a variety of short- and long-term visa options available offering multiple or single entry. These vary from 30-90 days eligibility. Among others, the following visa types are available:
- Tourist Visa – 30 or 60 days validity with single or multiple entry.
- Long Term Visit Visa – for visiting friends or family – 30, 60 or 90 days validity with single or multiple entry.
- 5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.
Who can apply for a visa on your behalf? Depending on the visa type, the following options are available:
- Airlines such as Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia.
- Five, four and three star hotels where you have booked a stay.
- Licensed travel agents or tour operators with whom you have arranged a trip. Please be sure to check the authenticity of travel agents before sharing any details and documentation.
- Friends or relatives who are residing in the UAE
- Companies or organisations
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGERIANS
According to VFS Global in Nigeria that handles Emirates visa application process, there are different types of visa depending on duration of stay. The most apt for a 3-day show like ProPaper Dubai 2025 is the 96 Hours Visa. This Visa is valid only for 96 hours and is ideal for travellers to the UAE who plan to stay for a period of less than 4 days. This type of Visa is preferred by travellers having business meetings or taking stopovers en route to their onward journey and it is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Visa Fees in Nigerian Naira is 84,010.
Kindly Note:
- Selection/ Determination of a visa category is on the basis of the airline ticket itinerary.
- Visa fee once paid is not refundable under any circumstances.
- The cancellation charge per visa is NGN 45780/- Cancellation request can be raised with the application centre where you have submitted the visa application and for applications that are approved.
- There is Facilitation Charges over and above visa fees.
- All payments are subject to change without notice.
Eligibility Criteria/ Mandatory Documents
Mandatory documents required at the time of submission:
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- Applicants below 45 years and travelling alone are not eligible to apply for any visa category
- Visa Application Form duly filled must include an accurate address in the UAE, valid contact number and email address for the passenger.
- Confirmed onward/ return ticket copy of Emirates airline, highlighting the applicant’s name, entry and exit from the UAE in yellow.
- One coloured recent passport-size photograph with white background, front facing.
- Coloured photocopy of Ordinary/ Normal Passport main (Bio) page (Valid for minimum period of 6 months at the time of travel). Passports containing special characters such as brackets in the name will not be accepted and must be amended prior to visa submission.
- Confirmed hotel booking. Applicant’s name and check-in/out dates highlighted in yellow (Check- in, Check- out dates on the hotel confirmation must match the dates on flight tickets)
- A valid visa for 3rd destination country.
- Marriage certificate for couples and birth certificate for children is mandatory requirement.
- For Non-Nigerian Nationals – Colour Copy of the valid CERPAC and residence Permit Visa. A valid visa for the destination country travelling to and arriving from UAE.
- Applicants aged 45 years and above travelling alone must provide the last six months’ bank statements with each month’s balance not less than $10000 (or equivalent) in a single bank statement. If travelling with family, a joint bank statement is accepted; the closing balance must be US $20,000 or more each month. Marriage certificates for couples and birth certificates for children are mandatory requirements.
Note: At the time of entry, the passenger must prove that they have enough financial resources to cover their expenses during the trip and a confirmed hotel booking. In certain cases applicants may be required to submit additional documents.
- Processing Time
Visa Processing Time: 5 – 6 working days from the date of submission (Except For Saturday,Sunday and any UAE Holiday).
Visa Submission Time: Applications need to be submitted in between 08:00 am to 03:00 pm.
NB (Caveat):
- Visa information provided here is for information purpose only and are used at your own risk.
- Visa rules are subject to change without notice.
For more information on UAE Visa application and processes, please contact the relevant UAE embassy in your country for most up-to-date information.
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