The Arab Gulf is presently one of the world’s largest consumer markets for facial tissues, with 65 of the aggregate tissue market in the region comprised of facial tissues.
With the recent launch of Scott facial tissues in the UAE, there are now more than 30 brands of facial tissues in the Emirates market, reported Gulf News. Olayan Kimberley-Clark, based in Bahrain, and Baqer Mohebi Establishment introduced Scott facial tissues to the UAE. Olayan Kimberley-Clark manufactures the products in Bahrain. The company aims to capture 4 percent of the market in the first year of distribution. Khaleej Times reports that the facial tissues will come in four color-schemes: forest, lilac, peach and azure. They will be marketed in packages of five at a cost of Dh12.75.
Kimberley Clark’s tissue products, apart from facial tissues, have already been in the UAE market for more than 30 years, with Baqer Mohebi serving as distributor. Baqer Mohebi Establishment is the marketing arm of Zainal Mohebi Group, a private enterprise in the UAE with more than 40 subsidiaries in foodstuff, aviation, shipping, oilfield supply, construction, and general trading and real estate development.
In a related development, the UAE’s second tissue paper manufacturing operation (and the first in Ajman) has just commenced operations in the emirate’s Free Zone. Trial runs for Tilted Crown Paper Mill’s Dh45-million facility have been proceeding smoothly and commercial production will begin any day. The plant will produce 35 tons of tissue paper per day, before output eventually hits its capacity of 50 tons daily. 110 employees will operate the fully automated plant in two daily shifts.
Gulf News adds that UAE demand for tissue paper rose from Dh94 million in 1992 to Dh120 million in 1996. Growth rates are outpacing global forecasts. Domestic per capita tissue paper consumption amounted to 113.8 tons in 1998, among the highest rates in Asia.
Due to higher living standards, enhanced health awareness and population growth, demand for tissue paper in the UAE is expected to continue growing by 5-6 percent annually. -(Albawaba-MEBG)
