<The 14th edition of the Arab-African International Exhibition for Plastics Machinery, Materials, Plastics Industries and Supplies (Plastex 2014) began on Saturday morning which will be hosted by Cairo from August 30 to September 2 at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center in Nasr City. Saudi Arabia is participating in this year's edition with more than 31 countries around the world and 350 exhibitors, including international companies. «Plastex is the most important exhibition of its kind to serve the plastics industry in the Middle East and North Africa, as it is awaited by specialists and those interested in the plastics industry in Egypt and the MENA region,» said Ahmed Ghazi, head of the organizing company. He added that the exhibition covers various sectors of the plastics industry from extrusion, blow molding, molding, plastic waste recycling and other semi-finished products that are a key component in many different industrial sectors such as automotive, construction, furniture, packaging, agricultural industries and other various applications and products in which plastics components are included in their manufacture. Ghazi pointed out that the 14th edition of the exhibition comes at a very important time to serve one of the most important and most developed sectors of the national industry, as organizing such an event at this time and with distinguished international participation gives a positive impression of the Egyptian market and reflects the expected growth opportunities during the coming period and confirms expectations to achieve a major development leap over the next five years. He added that he expects this year's exhibition to attract about 20,000 specialized visitors during its four days. The plastics industry is one of the most prominent industrial sectors in Egypt, said Khaled Abu El Makarem, head of the plastics industry division at the Federation of Egyptian Industries« Chamber of Chemical Industries, noting that the plastics industry supports the Egyptian economy with USD 9.2 bn annually, with investments exceeding USD 6.4 bn. He added that the volume of plastics consumption is estimated at 4 billion dollars annually, and the consumption of plastics is expected to increase by 10% over the next three years.