THAILAND - ProPak Asia 2007 was a landmark event, with total attendance reaching 24,774 from 57 countries, a new high for ProPak Asia. Mr. Matthias Stamm of Bosch Packaging Systems summarised the event’s success and focus by saying, “ProPak Asia 2007 has provided the international platform to engage with key decision makers.”

The exhibition celebrated its 18th year anniversary in Bangkok and 25th year since its launch in Singapore with a record number of attendees, both in terms of exhibitors and visitors. The four main halls at BITEC, covering 20,000 sqm, were crammed full with demonstrations of the latest processing, packaging and related industry technology and materials from the 680 participants that represented 31 exhibiting nations. 94% of all machinery displayed, came from overseas with Japan taking the lead position of companies represented, followed by Germany, China, Singapore, UK, Korea, Taiwan, Italy, India, USA, Australia, Spain and France.

A 19% increase in VIP’s and significant increases in international buyers groups confirmed ProPak Asia’s place on the processing and packing industry world stage. Leading the international visitor front this year was Malaysia, followed by Singapore, India, Japan, Philippines, Burma, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and Bangladesh, Taiwan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The nine International Pavilions at ProPak Asia 2007, all reported robust trade. “The market is right, the visitors are right and as a result of information gained here at ProPak Asia 2007 we are changing our strategy and triggering future investment into the South East Asia market” reported Mr. Hisatoshi Itsubo of Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.

In partnership with various Thai governmental bodies and International Trade Associations ProPak Asia 2007 organised cutting edge seminar presentations, attracting more than 2,359 delegates. International press was especially well represented with 181 members visiting the 4 day event, representing media from all over Asia and the Middle East. Mr. Hee-Young Kim, the organiser of the Korean pavilion from Gyeonggi-do province, new in 2007, said “we are reaching both Thai and International clients and knew that ProPak 2007 was the right way to do this.”

2007 was also the first year for the Japanese pavilion from FOOMA, the Food and Machinery Manufacturers Organisation from Japan, their members were all committed to developing business in Thailand and South East Asia and the results were impressive. Eiji Kawauchi, representing the Association, reported that“prior to 2007 China had been the focus for new business development but now that focus had moved to the rest of South East Asia.”

There can be no doubt that ProPak Asia 2007 has lived up to its billing as the region’s number one international event and strategically it has become the most important event for the processing, packaging and their related sectors. Global players are descending upon Thailand to reach the key buyers of Asia and the buyers of Asia are spending their budgets at ProPak Asia. “ProPak Asia is a place where new and existing customers pushed green for go” enthuses Alain Persec, Managing Director of Urschel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

The show is organised by Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd and promoted internationally through its network of 34 Allworld Exhibition Alliance member companies that include Overseas Exhibition Services Ltd in London and International Expo Management in Singapore. Paying his compliments to the organisers of the event Mr. Patrick Tan of KHS Asia Pte. Ltd. advised them to “keep up the good work, it’s a great show, we will be back”.

ProPak Asia returns to BITEC in 2008 from 11 – 14 June and promises to set new standards, “ProPak Asia 2006 was good, 2007 was even better and now we’re looking forward to 2008”, John Cowdrey, Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, UK.

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