There are challenges and obstacles facing the paper industry in the Middle East countries.
One of which can be the shortage in the water or in the raw material supply. But nothing to compare with
the excessive time the bureaucracy work takes to establish or set up a new mill.
Once the mill is established, the challenging job is to start making paper. The challenge continues when it’s time to
sell the produced paper, especially in a competitive market.
But the first challenge to be, is how to make paper in a country where there is no resource for water except of
the sea salted water, but also how to keep your production efficient and your product competitive.
In Kuwait, the challenge could be the shortage in the power supply rather than the water supply. It is surprising
to know that for this industry water is available at a low cost !
Even though the Kuwaiti market is quite small in comparison to the other markets in the GCC ; based on population
and consumption, there is a good demand for paper products.
Being a small market, it is well served by the local manufacturers. The imports are mainly to fill in the gap of some special
grades, like the coated board, Kraft paper and coated papers.
Compared to other countries in the Middle East area, the paper industry in Kuwait is doing well !