| The Italian national trade association in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency ITA is coordinating the participation of Italian companies in ProPak Philippines, a local spinoff of the well-established show ProPak Asia. |
| The 2019 international promotion programme organised for Italian companies by Ucima, the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers’ Association, is set to begin in Pasay City in the Philippines. With the support of the Italian Trade Agency ITA, the association will be taking part in the debut of ProPak Philippines, a processing and packaging show promoted by ProPak Asia. From 24 to 26 January, ten companies will be showcasing Italian packaging innovation in a more than 150 square metre area in the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Under the umbrella of Ucima, the Italian stand will host the companies Cevolani, Grafik, Imeta, Mectra, MCZ Automazioni, Pelliconi, Siad, Tropical Food Machinery, Sacmi and Zacmi. The Philippines is one of the most dynamic economies in Asia with growth forecasts of 6.7% for 2019. The upward trend is expected to continue over the next few years, with the country projected to become the largest economy in Southeast Asia by 2050. The Philippines packaging industry is considered one of the most dynamic in the ASEAN region, driven mainly by the food segment which makes up approximately half of manufacturing output and accounts for 23-24% of annual GDP. In 2017, the increase in consumption fuelled by economic growth gave a considerable boost to the flexible and PET food packaging sector. In 2017, Italy exported packaging plant worth 33.3 million euros to the Philippines (up 22.1% on 2016 and equivalent to 21.5% of the country’s total imports), establishing it at the top of the export rankings ahead of China and Germany. The figures for the first ten months of 2018 are likewise very positive, with the Philippines climbing to 33rd place amongst Italian export markets with sales of 36.2 million euros (up 38.7% on the same period in 2017). Ucima’s international promotion will continue over the coming months in other strategic markets including Algeria (Djazagro); South Africa (Propak Africa); Vietnam (Propak Vietnam); Egypt (Africa Food Manufacturing); Mexico (Expo Pack Guadalajara); Thailand (Propak Asia); Myanmar (Propak Myanmar); Nigeria (Propak West Africa) and the United States (Propak Las Vegas); Peru (Expoalimentaria); Iran (Pack Process Teheran); China (Swop) and India (Pacprocess India). |
