Upakovka/Upak Italia: Even in hard times, the Russian packaging market offers a wide range of opportunities

Unsurprisingly, keen interest was registered in Upakovka/Upak Italia 2009, the International Trade Fair Machinery and Equipment for the Manufacture of Packaging, Packaging Machinery, Confectionery Machinery, Packaging and Packaging Aids, Logistics. Jointly staged between 27 and 30 January, Interplastica 2009, the International Trade Fair Plastics and Rubber, and the premier trade fair for the packaging industry in Russia together welcomed 20,500 trade visitors from all corners of the CIS and its neighbours. A total of about 900 exhibitors rented a net area of 19,000 square metres to showcase their offerings. The general tenor of exhibitor responses was one of surprise at the wealth of intensive negotiations which promise good post-fair business.

The specialist ancillary programme, which was staged on the second and third day of the Upakovka/Upak Italia 2009 run, was once again given a warm reception. The lineup included seminars and discussions that tackled topical packaging industry issues and were conducted by speakers from international associations and tertiary institutions. Exhibitors and trade media organised conferences and round-table events. What’s more, exhibiting companies and trade visitors were entitled to use the business center on the fairgrounds as a job market and a place to establish new business contacts. Plus, students from various packagingrelated disciplines were available to answer specific questions. The next edition of Upakovka/Upak Italia will once again be staged in Moscow in conjunction with Interplastica in early 2010. Further information is available online at www.upakovka-upakitalia.de.