One of India’s biggest flexible packaging firms UFLEX is all set to enter and explore the African market next month. This development holds great significance for numerous Indian SMEs in the packaging sector who are planning to foray into the African markets.

Earlier during the end of March this year, packaging-based SMEs especially the corrugated box manufacturing units, were faced with a dire crisis of rising input costs and were even facing the possibility of a shutdown with an increase in the prices of raw materials. Under the circumstances, many packaging-based Indian SMEs are looking to explore business opportunities in Africa, which offers better power supply than that available in India. This consequently leads to better product quality and reduced manufacturing costs, which will prove beneficial for the small Indian packaging firms.

Significantly, the African packaging industry follows the eco-friendly process using recycling or reusing methods of packaging which reduces packaging waste that is increasingly becoming a global environmental concern. By shifting to Africa, Indian SMEs can improve their business practices even as they contribute to the environment and uplift their corporate social responsibility profile.

Sreemita Bhattacharya