ArabWeeks

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stepping into a new era as per the Saudi vision 2030, with the diversified industrial development being an essential pillar in this process, and the major catalyst towards the transformation from an oil based economy to an economy based on the diversification of income sources to build a sustainable future empowered by diversity and attraction of foreign investment.

In this context, it is important to highlight the strategic plan developed by the Government for the Saudi Petrochemical sector production capacity that is expected to reach 126 billion tons by 2020, which implies a strategic significance towards supporting the local industries that should be accompanied by acquiring expertise in more developed sectors and industries.

Thus the importance for specialized events that address these issues and support these sector rises.

The Saudi Print and Pack and Plastics and Petrochemicals show is a major event that has developed an integrated platform to showcase the industrial prosperity of the plastic, petrochemicals, print and packaging industries and to highlight the industrial and commercial opportunities to a specialized audience of engineers, and decision makers and business men.

The former success achieved by this show in 2016 was not by chance, it was the result of hard work that was translated into various commercial deals that was concluded locally and internationally during the show, and the great increase in the number of visitors and officials from different countries, in addition to the wide interest recorded by the participation of more the 540 companies from 24 countries, who gathered under one roof to discuss the latest trends and products in these sectors.

In continuation of this success, preparations are underway to launch the 14th edition of the Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals and the Saudi Print and Pack show which will take place in the Jeddah center for forums and events during the period between 27 February to 2 March 2017.

The show, which is organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Company is certified by UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and sponsored by Saudi Polymers as a platinum sponsor, offers a great opportunity for market leaders to gather and discuss the development of these sectors and latest trends to further support their development plans.

Mr. Kamil Jawhari, Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said “The Saudi Plastics, Petrochemicals, print and packaging industries witnessed considerable growth in terms of production capacity and the associated companies are working towards enhancing their competitiveness through presenting latest products and services as per the international standards.”

Mr. Kamil Jawhari added, “in an attempt to target the main cities in the Kingdom , Riyadh Exhibitions Company organizes this show in Riyadh and Jeddah consecutively, thus contributing to the development process through giving companies the opportunity to communicate and network with their international peers that will facilitate knowledge transfer and to be aligned with Government’s efforts and vision.”

Mr. Kamil Jawhari concluded, “we look forward to set an exemplar by adopting to international standards while organizing successful trade shows that urge us to outperform in each edition for the best interest of our participants.”

The 14th edition of the Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals and the Saudi Print and Packis being organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Co. Ltd., which is specialized in organizing exhibitions, conferences and other trade events. The company caters to several activities for various economic sectors. Throughout its 35 years, REC has organized more than 440 unique and successful shows and conferences renowned for their innovation, professionalism and attention to details. REC boasts an international presence, supported by over 120 commercial & industrial bodies from more than 50 countries. Regionally, REC dominates with its wide range of events programs, serving 20 economic and financial sectors in the Middle East. REC’s leading events are certified by UFI.

It is worth mentioning that Riyadh Exhibitions Co. Ltd., is a Saudi company specialized in organizing exhibitions, conferences and other trade events. The company caters to several activities for various economic sectors. Throughout its 35 years, REC has organized more than 440 unique and successful shows and conferences renowned for their innovation, professionalism and attention to details. REC boasts an international presence, supported by over 120 commercial & industrial bodies from more than 50 countries. Regionally, REC dominates with its wide range of events programs, serving 20 economic and financial sectors in the Middle East. REC’s leading events are certified by UFI.

Along with the Economic and Cultural developments witnessed in the Kingdom and the region, The MICE industry recorded considerable growth over the past few years, by approving 6584 events in 2015 thus achieving a 23% increase compared to the previous year.

As one of the major economic sectors that indicates healthy economic development, the MICE Industry plays a significant role in promoting the promising sectors and introducing the productive sectors and marketing them to an international audience thus enhancing the commercial trade between the Kingdom and other countries, in addition to the social, cultural and touristic impact.

After it realized its importance in supporting the economic diversification process, the Saudi Council of Ministers issued a resolution to establish the Saudi Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB), which is working towards generating huge revenues that contribute significantly in the total local outcomes in order to become a prime key of the national economy; Especially that the Saudi Government is planning to invest SR 6 Billion in this sector to fulfill its vision of becoming the leading destination for the MICE industry in the region by 2020.

The MICE industry acts as a stimulus for the diversified economic sectors such as power, automotive, Plastics and Petrochemicals, Health and others, and aims at building connections with the organizing parties and the the governmental authorities and the public and private sectors to build an integrated platform that serves the development of the associated sectors.

MICE Visitors Spending was estimated at 20% of the total tourism revenue in the Kingdom recording 10 billion Riyals annually and it is predicted that this contribution will continue to increase during the coming period.

According to Riyadh Exhibitions Company report, the MICE industry is a popular phenomenon that caters all economic sectors and it should be organized according to pre-set criteria to be aligned with the government’s strategic vision that aims at the promoting Kingdom’s position as the business hub of the region and attract visitors from all over the globe.

2016 will witness more success in the MICE industry and Riyadh Exhibitions Company will continue working towards offering the highest level of trade shows through the several shows it organizes such as the Riyadh Motor Show, the Saudi Print & Pack and Plastics & Petrochemical, Saudi Build, Saudi Agriculture, Saudi Health to name few, which had and will continue to contribute to the development of this vital sector.

Korea has been ranked the world’s top 2 destination for global congresses hosted in 2015, according to the latest International Meetings Statistics Report, released this week by the Union of International Associations (UIA). The findings show Korea achieving 2nd place behind the USA with 891 meetings – a 40% increase over the previous year. This also places it first in Asia and accounts for 7.5% of all meetings held worldwide across the same period. The results reflect continued strong interest in Korea, helped by the rise of its diverse regional Korean meeting destinations.

Seoul, the nation’s capital, also notably improved its long-standing top-5 UIA city ranking, moving from 5th to 3rd place with 494 meetings held in 2015; a 98.4% increase over the 249 meetings hosted in 2014. Meanwhile, Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, attained a global city ranking of 11 with 150 meetings, while renowned UNESCO World Heritage Resort Island Jeju accounted for 112 of the year’s meetings, achieving a global city ranking of 19.

“The UIA findings demonstrate Korea’s compelling attraction for business events and travel, which is underpinned by the nation’s cultural appeal and steadily-growing MICE capabilities,” said Kee Hun Kim, Korea MICE Bureau Executive Director. “We will of course continue to work actively to make Korea a highly-competitive congress host, and a country with a wealth of destinations all featuring their own unique attractions and venues.”he added.

Nationwide infrastructure growth has played a key role in boosting Korea’s MICE competitiveness, including expanded facilities in future Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics host Gangwon Province, and ongoing expansions to recent Korea MICE Expo host Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon’s International Business District. Brand-new regional convention facilities include the new Asia Culture Center in southeastern city Gwangju and Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) in the southwestern UNESCO capital of Gyeongju.

Korea’s annual convention profile regularly includes various international congresses, each of which benefit from a wide range of support programs specifically catering to large-scale meetings from the Korea MICE Bureau (KMB) division of the Korea National Tourism Organization. This includes complimentary city tours for delegates, airport welcome messages, customized event banners and souvenirs, on-site cultural experience booths, and many other enhancements. Recent major events that have utilized KMB assistance include 2015’s ICN Conference & CNR, 7th World Water Forum, and 25thWorld Road Congress Seoul, and last month’s Rotary International Convention, attended by 50,000 participants, 21,000 of which came from overseas.