Dubai Exports, an agency of the emirate’s Department of Economic Development (DED), has highlighted the role of the food and beverage (F&B) sector in the local packaging sector.Packaging worth AED6bn ($1.6bn) was shipped to and from Dubai last year, according to an announcement from the agency on 11 June. About AED2.5bn of this figure was provided by exports and another AED500m by re-exports.
But Mohammad Ali Kamali, director of export markets development in Dubai Exports, stressed the importance of the F&B sector in his plans for growth.
“It is natural for the UAE to have a large packaging sector bearing in mind it has a strong food and beverage industry that is growing,” he said.
“We have actively promoted our food and beverage sector in global markets because it also supports allied industries such as packaging.”
Dubai Exports estimates that half of all packaging is used for food and a further 18% for beverages.
The agency identified the GCC as central to current plastic packaging exports while Western markets lead for sheets and films.
“The key export markets for plastic packaging from Dubai were GCC countries, chiefly Oman and Bahrain, which together imported AED132m worth of packaging. The major markets for sheets and films were Europe and USA. Germany and USA imported AED330m worth of sheets and films from Dubai,” said Kamali.
Dubai Exports recently took about eight local firms to the Interpack tradeshow, where Dubai firms garnered 188 international leads, said the agency.
“The participants were also able to gain better understanding of the innovative technologies and concerns in the global packaging industry, especially those relating to safety, quality and sustainability,” said Kamali.
“The greatest innovation is in the development of halal packaging, which is set to increase considerably with the help of halal certification.”