ProPak MENA, Fi Africa 2024 Mirrors Regional F&B Growth
ProPak MENA 2024 will be held at Cairo’s Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) from 26-28 May, 2024. The international packaging and processing technology event will be co-located with Food Ingredients Africa (Fi Africa). The two events, launched in 2021 as part of Africa Food Manufacturing (AFM), have achieved great success in enhancing exports and gaining new global markets.
Over 220 exhibitors, including major global players Tetra Pak and Uflex Ltd., have confirmed their participation, coming from 20 countries, most notably China, India, and Turkey, besides the host nation. Over 10,000 food and beverage professionals are expected to make it to the dual shows.
“By concentrating our resources on ProPak and Fi, we ensure a specialized and tailored experience for participants, addressing the specific challenges and opportunities in Egypt and Africa’s packaging and ingredients sectors,“ says Mostapha Khalil, Group Exhibition Director at Informa Markets – the organizers of the event.
Several programmes will be organized during the three-day event. The ProPak MENA conference, in partnership with the Arab Health and Development Corporation (ahdo), provides the processing and packaging community with a variety of interesting, resourceful, and challenging topics that are trending in the industry worldwide and presents them with solutions. With four tracks, over 30 discussions, and renowned certificates, the conference aims to cultivate inventive ways to overcome industry challenges and develop food packaging, processing, and automation systems, all while considering energy, water, and resource management. Key topics will include food safety in packaging, digital supply chain management, the impact of AI on factory production, energy-saving techniques, and water treatment. This year’s speakers include Luciana Pellegrino, President, World Packaging Organization (WPO), and Soha Atallah, Vice President Marketing, WPO, among a list of industry experts.
Another highlight is the exclusive Arab-African roundtable discussion on accelerating the sustainable food packaging agenda. The gathering provides a unique opportunity for packaging industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to engage in dynamic discussions, share insights, and envision the future of packaging solutions. The roundtable will be co-organised by Informa Markets, LibanPack – the Lebanese Packaging Centre, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and WPO.
On the sidelines of the two exhibitions, the second Arab StarPack Pro Packaging Awards will announce the winners of 2023 in various categories including Beverages, Cosmetics and Beauty, E-commerce, Food & Agriculture, Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Industrial and Transport Packaging, Luxury Packaging, Packaging Materials, Personal Care and Household, Pharmaceutical and Medical, and Point of Sale Packaging. Special awards in three categories, including Marketing (for packaging design & general aesthetics), Sustainability (for responsible use of packaging material), and Save the Food (for packaging that reduces food loss or waste) will also be given away. The award is organized jointly by LibanPack and UNIDO, and endorsed by WPO. The awards will also feature an area dedicated to displaying the winning products.
Other key features of the expo include the WPO training programme specifically developed to aid the growth and development of Africa’s F&B industry by providing industry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to properly package and preserve products. Another is the matchmaking programme tailormade to benefit both the exhibitors and the visitors. The programme will target visitors to identify their needs to match it with the eligible exhibitors, including setting-up pre-arranged meetings with potential F&B professionals during the three days. The women’s networking breakfast is another special event, bringing together women in the industry to network, connect, and discuss important issues related to women’s empowerment.
ProPak MENA is the regional edition of the leading global brand ‘ProPak Exhibitions’ for food processing and packaging. ProPak is the flagship trade show in the processing and packaging market, with a portfolio spanning across six countries throughout the world, offering a 365 marketplace for the industry to interact, network, and keep abreast with the latest industry trends.
The co-located event Fi Africa, the newest member of the Fi Global portfolio, is a one-stop sourcing platform for the latest and most innovative packaging, processing, ingredients, and logistics solutions from Egypt, the North and Central Africa region, and around the world. Fi Africa offers pre-arranged matchmaking opportunities between buyers and sellers, besides networking, and educational opportunities. This year’s event will bring thousands of industry decision-makers and more than 220 of the most innovative global ingredients suppliers. The event has seen substantial growth in recent years, as Egypt is one of the most dynamic consumer goods markets in the region.
Opening Timings: 10am to 7pm (all days)
