Trade directories published for chemicals and plastics

Business America, Oct 15, 1984

U.S. Agribusiness Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and Iraq, Jan. 17-Feb. 4, 1985. The governments of Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., and Iraq are all committed to programs to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Saudi Arabia, which now imports 70 percent of its food consumption, has programs to invest over $2.4 billion in the agricultural sector during the 1980-85 period.

Goals indlude increased production of dairy products, animal fodder, poultry and eggs, wheat, and vegetables. Imports of agricultural equipment and supplies are expected to increase from $134 million in 1981 to $250 million in 1987. While small in size and population, the United Arab Emirates hopes to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency. Food production in the U.A.E. increased 200 percent from 1972 to 1982. Total U.A.E. imports of agricultrual equipment reached $17.9 million in 1982. Due to overcapacity in vegetable production, the U.A.E. also has need for small-scale canning and food processing equipment. Iraq enjoys a large land area and abundant water resources, and it is the most populous country on the mission. Iraq is a country of great agricultural potential, wih 24-30 million acres suitable for cultivation. Allocations for the agricultural sector rose from $906 million in 1976 to $2.3 billion in 1981. Trade missions afford members and excellent opportunity to meet key government officials, agents and private sector buyers on confidential pre-arranged meetings. This mission offers good sales prospects for land reclamation and irrigation equipment; tractors, implements, and attachments; harvesting equipment; forage, silage, and mowing equipment; plows and cultivators; seeding, planting, and fertilizing equipment; spraying and dusting equipment; cold and dry storae facilities; seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals; adn canning and food processing equipment. Contact Mary R. Weining, TD/CGIC/OSIM-Room 4047, United States Department of Comemrce, Wahington, D.C. 20230; tel. 202-377-4708. AGROTECH 485. Second International AGricultural Technology and Food Processing Exhibition. Bankok, Thailand. Jan. 23-27, 1985. The U.S. Department of Commerce will sponsor an American pavilion in this exhibition of agricultural equipment and supplies and food processing and packaging equipment. Agriculture is the leading sector of Thailand's economy, accounting for over one-fifth of GDP and three-quarters of total employment. As a major food producer, Thailand is one of the few developing nations capable of large-scale exports of food products such as rice, corn, sugar, fruits, and vegetables. In the Fifth National Economic and Social Development Plan (1982-86), the Royal Thai government has placed major emphasis on agriculture and food related industries, stressing an increase in production efficiency to achieve a 4.5 percent annual growth rate. This lucrative $350 million market offers bright sales prospects for agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals. The Thai market for food processing and packaging equipment totaled $46 million in 1982, of which 65 percent was for food processing equipment and 35 percent for food packaging equipment. There are no local manufacturers of food processing equipment and few manufacturers of packaging equipment so almost all requirements are met by imports. AGROTECH '83 drew over 20,000 visitors from all over Thailand and from teh other ASEAN countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, singapore, and the Philippines. Contact Mary R. Wiening, TD/CGIC/OSIM-Room 4047, I.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; tel. 202-377-4708.