UAE’s Hotpack tempted by wales for $62m plant investment

A UAE-based food packaging materials company is planning to invest US$62m in a manufacturing plant in Britain, which will also function as its new head office for the UK and Europe.

Hotpack Packaging Industries made the announcement after receiving a British delegation of diplomats and officials at its 360,000 sq-ft plant in Dubai, where it has become one of the biggest manufacturers and wholesale distributors of disposable food packaging in the Middle East.

Abdul Jebbar, Hotpack’s managing director, hinted at the political efforts that had been employed to attract his company. 

Our efforts have been recognised by the Welsh government, and they have been extremely supportive. Through our facility, we hope to create 250 job opportunities,” he said.

Jebbar said that the area of north Wales, close to the English border, had been “rapidly emerging as a centre of excellence in advanced food technology”. His company would repay the area with “investment, job creation, training, along with the very latest in production lines”.

Ken Skates, the Welsh Assembly’s economy secretary, added that his department had singled out Wrexham as a focus for growth.

Our aim is to have sustainable growth in the city and we are extremely supportive of new industries and companies to open their facilities in the city,” he said.

With an annual turnover of US$191m, Hotpack has operations in seven countries across Asia. The group said that it was eyeing further opportunities across various global markets.