The recent staging of upakovka, 25th International Trade Fair for Processing & Packaging, and interplastica, 20th International Trade Fair Plastics and Rubber in Moscow reflected the improving Russian market. Some 800 exhibitors from 33 nations presented their innovations to 23,000 visitors from Russia and neighboring countries (20,900 visitors in 2016). Following a difficult time dominated by political tensions, a drop in the oil price and a weak ruble, experts are expecting that the domestic economy will move out of recession. The World Bank is also forecasting economic growth in Russia for 2017. Western companies are anticipating an upswing and see this as confirmation of their policy of maintaining their business contacts in difficult years. This positive outlook applies in particular to the plastics, rubber and packaging sectors and the related processing industries.
“It is now paying off for the international exhibitors at upakvoka and interrplastica that they have maintained their presence in Russia and have remained in contact with their business partners there. They are benefitting now that business is gaining momentum again. The atmosphere in the halls was remarkably good, the exhibitors reported very interested visitors who were also keen to place orders. Trade visitors take the unique opportunity at the trade shows to familiarize themselves with the new developments on the world market and to negotiate directly with suppliers,” commented Werner M. Dornscheidt, Presient & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.