For the hollow glass industry, end-of-year 2010 confirmed a slight recovery in the market. This had already been anticipated at the Düsseldorf exhibition, with Egypt and Iran offering interesting prospects, as demonstrated at the recent Gimav and ICE workshops in these two countries. According to Michele Gusti, who heads the Hollow Glass Group at Gimav, the Cairo appointment on 7 and 8 November was "very positive" adding that: "The very efficient organization by ICE managed to attract Egyptian trade people, as well as the government authorities." The two-day event showed that "Significant investments are being made in Egypt by glass companies from the Far and Middle East which therefore makes it strategic for us to move into the market at this time," Gusti explained. Egypt has become a crucial country in the Arab area with a great deal of pulling power because of a number of factors: qualified manpower, low energy costs, a government that is open to agreements aimed at attracting foreign capital. It is also an interesting market for accessories.
