Mid East signage industry set for 20 per cent annual growth says Gulf leader

Saudi Arabia's market leading Obeikan Saint-Gobain believes that as Middle East states implement non-oil based projects the demand for signage will increase sharply.

"The region will have major growth from non-petroleum sources and these will require advertising," said Charles F Boyle, Executive Director, Obeikan Saint-Gobain, which is gearing up to meet increased regional demand by expanding its Riyadh headquarters operations.

"And since advertising requires signs, banners and billboards we expect this sector to grow by 20 per cent year-on-year over the next half decade."

Obeikan Saint-Gobain, a joint venture between Saudi Arabia's Obeikan Investment Group and Saint Gobain of France, plans to launch its latest high-tech, wide-format, mesh flexface machine at the Sign & Graphic Imaging trade show, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in the United Arab Emirates, from January 22-24.

"The show is vitally important to us. The Middle East is the corner stone of the company's strategic plan and as the only local supplier of wide format flexface material our sales plan is focused on the region," said Boyle.

Exhibitors from more than 20 countries from Europe, the USA, Middle and Far East have confirmed participation in Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East, that has doubled in size for the 2002 showing.

"The Middle East's signage and graphics industry is set for a period of large and sustained expansion with region wide infrastructure development driving the demand for outdoor advertising solutions," said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice Chairman, International Expo-Consults (IEC), organisers of the show.

"Throughout the Middle East this sector is growing at nine per cent a year and in Dubai alone the industry is recording an annual growth rate of five per cent, making the region an excellent market, not just for sign makers but also for component manufacturers"