FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracy Cullen
(202) 974-5282
Email: tcullen@socplas.org

SPI’S U.S. PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRADE MISSION TO CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND SET FOR SEPTEMBER 25–29, 2006

Growing Central European Market Offers Potential for “Lucrative Business Ventures”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 24, 2006) – With economic growth across Central and Eastern Europe exceeding 4.5 percent in 2005, and consumption of plastics in that part of the world far outstripping domestic production, this fall the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) will lead an exploration of the region’s market opportunities for U.S. plastics companies. Sponsored by the trade association’s Global Business Council, the business development mission will feature a delegation of U.S. plastics industry representatives visiting the Czech Republic and Poland from September 25 to September 29, 2006.

U.S. plastics industry exports to Central and Eastern Europe exceeded $155 million in 2005 – a 32 percent increase over 2004 – and plastics exports to the Czech Republic and Poland alone amounted to nearly $80 million in 2005. “Both of these countries offer the potential of lucrative business ventures for U.S. plastics companies,” said SPI Vice President, International Affairs and Trade Counsel Karen Toliver. “In addition to a growing demand for plastics, the Czech Republic and Poland offer workforces that are inexpensive yet well-educated. Geographically, both represent an ideal base for sales to Western Europe, Southeastern Europe and Russia.”

With visits scheduled at a variety of plastics operations, the SPI-led delegation will observe the growing plastics market of Central Europe firsthand. The mission will also include networking receptions with Czech and Polish plastics industry professionals and potential customers, and meetings with key Czech and Polish government officials. All participants will receive customized market research reports on the Czech Republic and Poland. For an additional fee, mission participants may take advantage of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service's (FCS) “matchmaking” program in which FCS officials pre-screen Czech companies that have been identified as potential business partners or customers based on the participant's specific criteria.

“Karen Toliver and her staff have an excellent itinerary planned for the mission and we have high hopes that the trip will yield some valuable contacts and fruitful business relationships,” said SPI President and CEO William Carteaux. “Whether your company is interested in exporting to Central Europe, investing in the region, or setting up operations there, we’ve designed this business development mission to be a worthwhile investment.”

Registration for this exciting mission is open until September 1, 2006. Excluding each participant’s air travel arrangements, SPI is handling the coordination of the trip’s details (government meetings, industry networking activities, plant tours, translators, ground transportation, lodging and meals), which are included in mission participant fees.

For more details, including information on participant fees, how to register, and how to secure reduced airfare via the official travel agent for the mission, visit SPI online at http://www.plasticsindustry.org/business/international/
trademissionczechpoland.htm.

For additional information, contact SPI’s Director of International Trade Gennie Ross at eross@socplas.org or (202) 974-5219.

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Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.3 million workers and provides nearly $345 billion in annual shipments.

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