Middle East's annual consumption of paper will increase to 29 tons by 2020, from 18 million tons in 2010, according to Asia Pulp and Paper, the second largest paper manufacturer and supplier in the world with operations in more than 65 countries. At the conclusion of Paper Arabia 2011 Monday in Dubai, key players agreed that the digital boom in the Middle East is not largely affecting the printing of paper as seen from the fact that UAE is among the highest consumers of paper in the world despite the increase penetration of electronic pads in the country. According to Indonesian Pulp and Paper Association, it is estimated that 110 million pads were produced in 2010 globally, that reduced the consumption of paper by 1.1 million tons. Each pad displaced 10 kg of paper including newsprint, photocopy and office paper but it has added 3 kg for packaging each item. In the Middle East, the consumption of paper will increase by 11 million tons despite of the digital boom taking place in the region and the demand will be met by international players as local paper manufacturers don't have abundant water, the association noted. Suresh Kilam, Executive Director, APP said: "With the recent unrest in some countries, the traders have grown more cautious and have adopted a wait and watch approach. They have to buy the paper in cash and they don't want to take risks. So in countries which are going through rough political climate, the business is on hold but that doesn't mean that the business isn't growing in the Middle East and growth in countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt is tremendous." When asked about effect of digital media on the printing industry, Kilam said: "We heard 10 years ago that school books would vanish and it didn't happen. Similarly, we will always hear the same for news print, but it seems this is a long way to go, which will keep the consumption of paper on the rise." Satish Khanna, general manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of the show, said: "Paper Arabia 2011, the first-of-its-kind industry expo attracted over 6,120 trade visitors. This year many companies offered environmentally friendly products based on agricultural or post consumer wastes. Paper Arabia has grown to become a must attend event opening doors to paper industry in Middle East and beyond."
