“PROPAK GHANA AIMS TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT’S AMBITIONS TO DRIVE THE ECONOMY THROUGH ENHANCED INDUSTRIALIZATION” - GEORGE PEARSON, REGIONAL DIRECTOR - AFROCET MONTGOMERY
Afrocet Montgomery is a subsidiary of The Montgomery Group - one of the leading global exhibition organisers that has been running exhibitions since 1895. Specialising in running high-end exhibitions and events in West Africa, Afrocet Montgomery has been driving innovation and development across the packaging, printing, processing and plastics industries through PROPAK West Africa for over a decade. With an inaugural edition in Accra Ghana slated for June, WHERE To Print Ghana examines Afrocet Montgomery’s plans for the Ghanian market as it organises the first PROPAK Ghana 2023 next month. Check this out in this SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW with Mr. George Pearson, Regional Director - Afrocet Montgomery.
…aerial view of West Africa’s biggest and largest packaging, printing, processing, and plastics exhibition - PROPAK West Africa
CONGRATULATIONS, PROPAK IS FINALLY COMING TO GHANA; HOW DO YOU FEEL?
It is great that PROPAK will be launching its inaugural edition in June this year. It’s something we have been planning for a while and glad that it has been met with such open arms by the industry. It certainly feels like Ghana has been waiting for an event to come along for these industries that will really help galvanize the industry and bring the community together.
AS THE FIRST PROPAK IN GHANA; WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING DIFFERENTLY AT THIS YEAR’S SHOW?
As the first event, its all about setting a benchmark that the rest will follow. We have a strong pedigree from the work we have been doing in Nigeria which will see this year’s edition be its tenth and that is something we want to replicate overtime in Ghana. We have worked hard to meet with and engage as many industry stakeholders as we can to really understand what the market is in need of and we hope and believe that PROPAK Ghana will provide that. Onsite, there will be a wide range of international and regional companies displaying their products and solutions as well as a conference program put together in partnership with KPMG Ghana to ensure we focus the program on important topics.
…top industry leaders engage with quality audience on pertinent issues
YOU ALREADY HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROPAK WEST AFRICA IN LAGOS, NIGERIA, WHY PROPAK GHANA?
As I said before, it’s been a country we’ve been excited to launch into for a number of years and feel that now is the perfect time as the industry and economy continues to build after the pandemic and the new lay of the land is becoming clearer. Ghana has huge opportunity in its own right, but it’s also seen as a destination by many in West Africa and therefore we are hoping to attract buyers and stakeholders from the wide West African region as well as those looking to do business from areas within Ghana.
WITH MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BRANDS AND PAVILIONS ALREADY SIGNED UP; WHICH GHANIAN BRANDS OR COMPANIES HAVE CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION AND DO YOU STILL HAVE SPACE FOR MORE?
We have more than 100 brands that will be represented at the event and this is made up of a strong mix of Ghanian and international companies. Our Headline Sponsor for the event is the Mohinani Group who are also showcasing their Polytank and Sonnex brands. We also have TetraPak West Africa and Jaykay Global sponsoring the event, alongside Neofyton and Engel from Serbia and Austria respectively. Staying with the local market - Sintex Ghana LTD, Kane-Em Industries LTD, Docutech LTD, FlexoHub, Kumesh Ghana and Finepack Industries to name just a handful of those confirmed are all on board, showcasing the excitement that is found in the local market place for this event and confirming our hope that the industry is ready for such.
And not to take away from the international companies in attendance, the first year will see a pavilion from Austria hosted Starlinger, Erema and SML Maschinengesellschaft among others, a strong delegation from Italy including Piovan and Galdi Srl, Nigeria with Afra Technical Concept, Fas Agro and PET Associates and from South Africa, we’ll welcome Filmatic Packaging and Safrique International among others from various other countries.
As ever, there is always a few last remaining stands available for any company looking to book their slot and be a part of what promises to be the number one event of the year for the printing, packaging and plastics industries here in Ghana.
…live demonstrations of innovative machines and solutions to quality visitors throughout the show floors
TALKING ABOUT BRINGING MORE GHANAIAN BRANDS OR COMPANIES TO PROPAK GHANA, WHAT INCENTIVES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THEM THIS YEAR?
By way of incentives, and as discussed before, we are working with many of the key local industry partners including our headline partner – AGI, as well as GIPC, GEPA, IOPG, GCCI and GPPCA to name a few who will all be represented at the exhibition and are keen to meet those working in the industry to find ways to build capacity and grow the industries in size. We also offer a rate exclusively for companies registered in Ghana, which is a reduction on the cost for international companies as a way to show our commitment to building the event in the country.
…aisle always full to capacity for quality engagement
WHAT IS PROPAK GHANA 2023 THEME AND WHY DO YOU CHOOSE IT?
PROPAK Ghana’s central theme will focus on opportunities in Ghana’s Manufacturing Sector with a focus on the packaging, plastics, food processing and print industries. PROPAK Ghana aims to support the Government’s ambitions to drive the economy through enhanced industrialisation.
PROPAK TRADITIONALLY HOLD SEMINARS SIMULTANEOUSLY DURING ITS SHOWS FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO KEEP ABREAST OF LATEST DEVELOPMENTS; WHAT TOPICAL ISSUES WILL YOU BE LOOKING AT DURING PROPAK GHANA AND WHO ARE THE CONFIRMED SPEAKERS?
Topics covered in the conference will include - The impact of packaging on the competitiveness of Ghana’s Export Products; Sustainable Packaging Solutions; Elevating quality and safety in the packaging and food processing industries; Innovative Financing Solutions to support Ghanian Exporters under AfCFTA, and many more.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM PROPAK GHANA THIS YEAR 2023 AND THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
As discussed, we’re excited for Ghana to be launching and expecting a really positive reaction from the local market and the surrounding countries. We want it to become the number one destination for the packaging, printing, plastics and processing companies to head to in West Africa, outside of our event in Nigeria. We truly believe that it can grow to a similar size over the next five years and ensure the market is well served with new products and equipment as well as bringing together thought-leaders to discuss pertinent topics and build on the knowledge base that will take the industry to the next level.
We look forward to welcoming you from the 6th – 8th June 2023 at the Grand Arena, ICC, Accra, Ghana. Find out more at www.propakghana.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
