Gulf Consumers lead the world in digital demand

New research revealed yesterday at the Photo-World Dubai 2005 exhibition, shows that in little more than year camera phones have soared from nowhere to account for 40 per cent of the region's total mobile phone sales, while the digital camera market is maintaining annual growth of roughly 35 per cent.

The latest trends were announced to an audience of industry professionals by GfK-MEMRB Marketing Services, the Middle East arm of the authoritative German-based research bureau.

Regional managing director Raed Nasser told delegates at Photo-World Dubai 2005 that Middle East demand was running ahead of global trends, even though digital imaging is already one of the world's fastest-growing business sectors.

The pattern is now being further emphasised following Saudi Arabia's withdrawal of a ban on camera phones. Sales in the Kingdom leapt to 179 million last year compared to 63 million in 2003, while the UAE market grew from 121m to 171m in the same period.

Buyers are also opting for more powerful equipment. Cameras with 5-6 Mb capacity now account for almost 27 per cent of sales, while volumes are dropping in the 1-3 Mb range.

"Sales were slow to start with," said Nasser, "as people adopted a wait-and-see attitude, uncertain of the benefits or reliability of the new technology.

"But Middle East people have quickly taken digital imaging to heart and are now at the forefront of the technological revolution. No other region in the world is showing such sustained growth in sales rates."

Photo-World Dubai 2005 is running at the World Trade Centre's Exhibition Hall 5 until Thursday evening and has been staged in response to the booming demand for digital imaging and peripheral equipment.

Justin Boutros, managing director of the organisers, Channels Exhibitions, says the show is ideally timed to focus on the phenomenal growth in consumer and professional demand for digital imaging.

"The response from trade visitors has been outstanding, and we expect similar enthusiasm from the public."

Exhibitors have signed up for 17,500 sq m of floor space. They include AAA of Saudia Arabia, the Kingdom's leading chain of electronic and digital equipment suppliers; Huachang Photographic Backgrounds from China; Tenaui Minilabs from Singapore; A-One Industries, wholesaler and exporter of photographic items operating in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China; and market leader Henzo Photo Albums of the Netherlands. Retailer Plug-Ins of the UAE will drive consumer sales with leading world brands.
Trade visitors are attending from across the entire Middle East, as well as from Africa, central Asia, the Indian sub-continent, CIS countries, Europe, and the Far East, while public attendance will be drawn primarily from the UAE and neighbouring countries.