Stories

ITC builds global network of packaging partners to support SMEs

9 May 2014
ITC News

Interpack 2014, the world’s largest packaging trade fair, is kicking off this week, providing an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve their position in the global packaging industry. The International Trade Centre (ITC) will be represented at the fair, with senior staff participating in debates and providing hands-on advice to SME delegates.

ITC will attend Interpack 2014 in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 8–14 May, to establish and renew partnerships with global packaging and food-security organizations. More than 2,700 exhibitors from more than 60 countries will display the latest ideas and concepts, equipment and machinery, and production tools at the event.

‘Improved packaging skills are essential because they make it easier for SMEs not only to connect to global value chains but to remain competitive,’ said Kofi Essuman, an ITC Senior Adviser, Export Value Chain. ‘Therefore it is important for ITC to maintain and develop new partnerships with global packaging organizations, to be able to provide the best possible services to its clients.’

Representatives of the global packaging industry – including suppliers of materials, machinery and equipment; service providers; and representatives of training, research and professional institutions – will attend the event, offering ITC the opportunity to expand its network and learn about the latest packaging trends, innovations and technologies that can be used to upgrade its tools and services for SMEs in developing countries, enabling them to produce higher-quality products and services.

Networking with packaging organizations

ITC, which has been participating in Interpack for more than 25 years, will participate in a number of events during the fair, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Save Food: Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, continuing a partnership that started since the initiative’s inception in 2011. ITC will participate in the Save Food Congress in Düsseldorf from 7–8 May.

ITC will present its export-packaging portfolio at the FAO-led event, ‘Bio-based Packaging: a Green Food Saver’ on 9 May. It will also participate in events hosted by the World Packaging Organisation, including working groups and board meetings, as well as the WorldStar Awards ceremony on 13-14 May. The goal of ITC participation in these events is to re-energize partnerships and collaborations with major packaging and food-security organizations to become better equipped to assist exporting SMEs in their work.

Interpack is organized by Messe Düsseldorf GmbH and is held every three years. ITC’s involvement in the fair will be funded by the ITC Division of Business and Institutional Support partnership fund.