Boost for regional large format printing industry in 2009

Izumi Solutions, the official business partner of HP in the region and one of the market leaders for large format printing in the UAE, is expecting several regional trends to prosper in the large format printing along with the emergence of new printing technologies that will result in broader customer reach in the digital printing industry across the sign and display markets.

"Various printing opportunities will arise in the region particularly from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar this year. Abu Dhabi, considered as the 'cultural hub' of the Middle East, is now emerging as an exhibition venue for many new cultural, sporting and MICE events. This latest development has added momentum to the outdoor and large format printing industry in the UAE capital,"

said Walid Amin, General Manager of Izumi Solutions.

"The growth in demands is alongside that of ongoing and new projects as well as of the infrastructure developments within the GCC which will boost the overall signage business in the local markets. The expansion of the retail sector in Bahrain and Qatar provides a high potential for the printing industry," added Amin.

As most improvements in printing technologies have resulted in cost effective solutions, print service providers are given an advantage to sustain their business' competitiveness. Large format printing technology is gearing towards a variety of graphics applications such as vehicle wraps, exhibition graphics, POP/POS retail displays, bridge graphics and highway billboards.

"Izumi Solutions will capitalise on these applications as there is a huge potential in most countries in the GCC. These markets will continue to spend on outdoor due to the recurrent major infrastructure development such as new road, bridge tunnel, shopping mall or airport. Sectors such as in the FMCG, telecom firms and retailers will still give new prospects for the printing industry," concluded Walid.