Printing and Publishing Group finalises line-up of elite sponsors for Dubai Print Award 2007

Organised under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Print Award 2007 has been expanded to cover those working in the printing and publishing sector in the whole GCC region, and not just the UAE. The Awards have 21 categories - including the debuting Bahrain Award, Kuwait Award, Oman Award, Qatar Award, KSA Award and UAE Award - with winners to be conferred gold, silver and bronze awards.

"Dubai Chamber is keen to endorse all the initiatives launched by the business groups which operate under the umbrella of the chamber including the Printing and Publishing Group (PPG). Dubai Chamber supports the initiative launched by the PPG because this Award aims at encouraging those working in the printing sector, and who are also members of Dubai Chamber, to improve their products and provide the market with the highest quality of printed materials," said Hassan Al Hashemi, Manager, Corporate Communications at Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"Supporting PPG's initiative goes in line with the Chamber's vision and strategy in playing its leading role in protecting the interests of the local business community," added Al Hashemi.

Gold sponsor of the award, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on January 15, 2008, is Heidelberg, while silver sponsors include HP, Dynagraph, Prestige Graphics, Giffin Graphics and Crystal Gallery. The bronze sponsors of the second edition of the annual event are Printograph-India, Bobst, Gimpex and Xerox; while media partners are Awraq Publish Group and Khaleej Times.

"The Dubai Print Award owes its success to its sponsors, whose generosity has helped us implement a number of innovations that will make the second edition of the event even more productive and meaningful. On behalf of the organisers of Dubai Print Award, I extend my appreciation to all the sponsors and partners," said Tarek Jawharji, CEO, ColorLine Group, and Vice Chairman of PPG.

The six-member jury will feature prominent personalities in the industry with diverse backgrounds. The panel includes Thomas Kuen, Department Head for Print Finishing of Fogra Forschungsgesellschaft Druck e.V.; Nicholas R. Jung, Scheme Director of London College of Communication; Karl Kowalczyk, Vice President for Print Media Centre of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG; Daniel Siegel, Technical Services Manager of UPM - Kymmene Sales GMBH; Georges Abyad, Proprietor of Georges Abyad Four Plus; and Hemant Ranadive, Production Head of FCB Ulka India.

"The credibility and integrity of Dubai Print Award rests largely on the judge's consistency in picking out the most qualified winners. We are pleased to have such a distinguished jury, who collectively boast of a broad range of expertise and experience in various sectors of the industry," said Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Managing Director, Modern Printing Press, and Chairman of PPG.

PPG has prepared an exclusive awards ceremony for Dubai Print Award 2007, which will feature entertainment and fine dining. The ceremony will be attended by prominent government dignitaries and distinguished guests from the printing and publishing sectors, in addition to the participants and winners of the various categories.