Though, like all exhibitions in Iran that the first days of exhibitions are usually less welcomed, and the first day of Iranplast was the same but the 2nd day was more respected. During the 2nd day, the halls were a little more crowded, but something very apparent was the very low rate of the foreign exhibitors (specially Italians, Germans and Chinese) which in all last editions were the motivation power for absorbing huge number of visitors.
The 13th edition of IranPlast is affected by the US sanctions and fundamentally has changed the international exhibitor part of this exhibition. Most notably is the weak presence of the Chinese companies that were widely present in IranPlast and the Iranian plastic market during the previous sanctions period. .
According to our reporters, the difference of the 13th IranPlast with other periods (which still Iran was under the shadow of sanction) is so striking and dramatic that we have to write for the Government officials’ attention that; At the current global model of running the countries all governments are thinking about their own interests and we have to do the same. At this period, the Chinese companies, one of the stable partners of Iran during all these years, show that, they have and are also trying for their own benefits. So, at this period they didn’t care about all 40 years of benefiting with Iran-US conflict and being frightened of the US penalties, the number of their visitors shrunk considerably.
This year there are only 35 foreign exhibitors presented in the international section of IranPlast Exhibition. Given the US sanctions and the seriousness of US, it was quite predictable that the number of foreign exhibitors, especially European ones, would decline.
Basically, in the 13th period of IranPlast Exhibition, Hall 35, which was usually allocated to foreigners, was allocated to the petrochemical companies.
The considerable decrease of foreign companies, specially countries like Germany and Italy (which had dedicated pavilions in all previous periods) was somehow predictable. However, a decline at this level mainly with respect to the Chinese companies was not foreseen at this level.
During previous periods, Chinese took advantage of the absence of many European companies and monopolized the Iranian plastics markets. Though, this exclusivity was so strong that the Europeans were not able to replace it during some periods of pressure reductions, however kind of a balancing was expecting.
Something that has happened after the 2nd period of US sanctions is the thinkable decline of Chinese presence at IranPlast, so that the exhibition officially speaks about the participation of 35 foreign companies whereas our survey shows that even out of these 35 countries, there are several agencies that have decided to participate as a foreign company.
A short walk among the foreign companies that are present at the 13th IranPlast shows that, even these exhibitors are either not so famous Chinese or Indian companies.
In one word, we have to remind to the officials that the world has changed and the country can’t suffer the imposed pressures at this level. The Iranian companies showed their support and it is now your turn to show your back-up from the private sector.
The last article about IranPlast published at this channel was: 13th IranPlast Kicked-off In Presence of Two Ministers At 13 Halls
