IranPlast 2016 No Rights To Insulting instead of Promoting
About two months ahead of all the previous 9 episodes of the “IranPlast” Exhibition, Iranian International Plastics & Rubber events organized by NIPC, not only the exhibitors alone but the media (general or special, public or private) used to encourage the national and the international industrial communities to foster ever better participation of the latter. Gift supplying businesses were receiving extra orders from the large and the medium size companies in the field, and specialty media were competing for more advertisements through offering good deals. Stand constructors used to send introducing faxes with eye-catching offers. Facsimile machines were continuously working for several related subjects about the Show, and stocking extra print cartridges and fax papers were a “Must”. Dispatching decorative, tailor-made and sometimes expensive invitation cards and letters to the potential customers were the most usual preparations for the event, while innumerable number of emails was unbelievable. In a simple word, the “IranPlast” event was a golden opportunity for many businesses to make higher incomes, and for a couple of months “IranPlast” was the main subject in daily discussions.
Now, just a week ahead of the greatest Iranian plastics & rubber industry event in 2016, the ambiance is much more than depressant, even frustrating. The PIMI Office records of invitations received (by all communication means) show only 1 record. Who and how, can make a comparison between this “1” figure with more than 232 invitations received in 2014? An after new year’s chatting survey shows that most exhibitors are even frightened of speaking about it. Apart from such a panicky environment, there are some not-disclosable news about temporary meetings amid the heads of different Associations and Organizations in order to decide about their future relations with those which broke covenants made in the controversial meeting of “No to IranPlast Campaign” in Nov. 2015.
The main upsetting fact is that, the nearer the date of the 10th International IranPlast exhibition, the higher the aggressivity and diversity of insults, outrages and fulminations aimed at the participants of the Show; somehow at both national and international exhibitors, with the Iranians being the main focal point. The threats keep increasing, while certain bodies have gone further and add insult to injury: “Got to make impossible any business with the Participants in future”. However, IranPlast 2016 will hold on April 13th despite all these growing trend of insults aimed at Iranian stand owners and, to some extent, the agents of the International companies in Iran. It remains to be seen what will be the stance of the new-comers.
As a matter of fact, members of the “Iranian Polymer Machine Manufacturers’ Association” (PMMA) have altogether refrained, as a body, to take part in the event whereas other organizations that represented in the “Selective Council of Organizations” have failed meeting their members’ satisfaction in this respect. Indeed, it seems that the members of “PMMA” are to bear the brunt of the losses or profits attached with participation or non-participation in the event as neither giant Iranian companies of sound reputation nor those with less standing in the market will take part in this year’s edition of IranPlast.
Of course, the situation in the other sectors is much different. Despite the absence of renowned companies, some other companies with less market reputation will take part actively. As an example, in the Plastics Parts and Products Producing sector, despite the absence of well-known leaders of the market, many companies of no less reputation are taking part. In a nutshell, out of the four major participation categories, we are witnessing of definite absence of PMMA members and many other Iranian manufacturers of Plastics Processing Machines in respect of PMMA’s decision-making process. Irrespective of the Organizer’s claim for the full occupation of all allocated exhibition spaces, who can forgets the unfortunate absentees of immense names among the PMMA members who brought up this Exhibition to this level and made it a Brand name in the plastics world with their huge expenses for the occupied area of at least 5000sqm, expensive decoration designs, and crowded stands at every hour of the previous 9 periods of IranPlast. To be regretful is just a one second thought.
Despite all above facts together with disappointing figures which show the absence of about 217/600 most important Iranian companies in the next IranPlast 2016 (including such media like PIM, PIME and PIMI for the first time), the way that some unhappy traditional exhibitors of IranPlast are bitterly criticizing other participants with harsh words and no less inconsiderate deeds, is by no means attuned with democratic principles; The more so few of them being at the position of the pioneers of this industry in Iran.
The unsuccessful Campaign of “No to IranPlast” and the segregation of the Campaigners (including the Author) give no right to anybody to harm, let alone destroy, the face of the country and the prestigious of an industry, neither to reversely affect the benefits of the exhibitors of other countries who come here to shake hands for business promotion. We may learn from our segregation but, if we are not helping and promoting, we shouldn’t be destroying. This is the industry that we have lived in and we will live by!
This event is being and will be held with more than 200 less Iranian participants, compared to an average of 400 out of a total of 600. Though, this will undoubtedly harm the prestige and reputation enjoyed by the IranPlast events so far and shall be given special attention by the Highest Executive Authorities in due future time, but we can’t deem it as a direct abuse and outrage aimed to others.
A. 
A. Saatnia
April 6th, 2016
