Messe Düsseldorf is taking DRUPA and its K and Interpack trade show brands to Saudi Arabia, through a partnership with Riyadh Exhibition Company.

The Saudi Print & Pack and Saudi Plastics & Petrochem exhibitions – running from May 12-15 with more than 500 exhibitors – are to be expanded to include regional editions of the shows. Organisers say exhibitor numbers have climbed by 70 per cent since 2018, providing plenty of touchpoints for Messe Düsseldorf.

REC chairman Prince Saud Turki Al Faisal Bin Abdulaziz and Messe Düsseldorf president and chief executive Wolfram Diener have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate the shows next year.

Diener emphasises the significance of the decision: “We’re in the right place at the right time.

“Our commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing trade show markets reinforces our position as one of the most successful trade show companies worldwide.”

The developments follow forays including an 18-year-old partnership with ArabPlast in Dubai, and the 16-year cooperation of the interpack alliance on pacprocess MEA and Food Africa Cairo in Egypt. Last year a new subsidiary in Türkiye joined Messe Düsseldorf’s global network.