The world's leading trade fairs K, interpack and drupa are continuing to expand their international presence and are jointly expanding to Saudi Arabia.
The framework for this is the expansion of the partnership between Messe Düsseldorf and the Riyadh Exhibition Company. The trade fairs Saudi Plastics & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack will be expanded in future to include regional editions of K, interpack and drupa.
In Saudi Arabia, it is currently possible to experience how dynamically and diversely the economy in the Middle East is developing. The Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) organises the following events there Saudi Plastics & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack trade fairs from 12 to 15 May with more than 500 exhibiting companies from four industries: petrochemicals, plastics, print and packaging. The flourishing trade fair quartet, whose number of exhibitors has increased by 70 per cent since 2018, thus offers ideal points of contact for Messe Düsseldorf. Prince Saud Turki Al Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of REC, and Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, have signed a cooperation agreement to integrate future participations of Düsseldorf's leading global trade fairs K, interpack and drupa into Saudi Plastics & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack.
For decades, K, interpack and drupa have stood for innovative strength, international appeal and strong impetus for their industries. In Saudi Arabia, they are joining forces in a market with high growth potential and utilising the synergies of their respective industries, as the statement continues. The new presence in Riyadh optimally complements the existing international portfolio - in the plastics and rubber segment with „K Global Gate“, in the processing and packaging segment with the „interpack alliance“ and in the print technologies segment with „drupa global“.
„We are in the right place at the right time. Our involvement in one of the fastest growing trade fair markets in the world strengthens our position as one of the most successful international trade fair companies. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are increasingly diversifying their economies - this opens up numerous points of contact for our broad trade fair portfolio and new potential for our customers.“
Wolfram N. Diener, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Düsseldorf
This is reflected in the economic data of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. According to the consulting firm jwc, their annual growth rate of six per cent until 2029 exceeds both that of the EU (3 %) and the global average (5 %).
Messe Düsseldorf as a driving force in the Gulf region
Dr Akram Masri, Operational Managing Director of REC, welcomes the partnership: „Our trade fairs have developed successfully in recent years. The fact that they are now part of Messe Düsseldorf's international portfolio - with global number one trade fairs such as K, drupa and interpack - emphasises the growing importance of our market. At the same time, we expect the cooperation to provide a significant boost for our events.“
Building on existing strengths: steps taken so far in the region
The current new business activities are not Messe Düsseldorf's first steps in the region. K has had a successful partnership with ArabPlast in Dubai since 2007. Since 2019, Messe Düsseldorf has been driving its business forward with the interpack alliance trade fairs pacprocess MEA and Food Africa Cairo in Egypt - the link between the Middle East and Africa. Since 2024, a new subsidiary has also complemented Messe Düsseldorf's global network - in Turkey, which builds the bridge between Europe and the Middle East. The offensive in Saudi Arabia is now the next logical step.
Source: Düsseldorf Trade Fair Centre
