Print trade show already 90% sold

With 90% of space already sold to blue chip companies, the show promises to be the biggest ever. Organised by Fairs & Exhibitions Ltd, the seventh edition of the event is set for the Dubai Airport Expo, 11 - 14 December, 2005.

Much of the success can be attributable to last year's show which recorded on site transactions of over US $17million. "Many exhibitors have reported brisk business as a result of taking part at Gulf Print", said Ms Lina Alousta, Project Manager of Gulf Print, which further explains why many national groups are taking part.

Arguably one of the largest is from China, where their own print machine manufacturing industry is growing at a staggering 40%. It is no surprise therefore that their innovative suppliers are keenly eyeing the Middle East's lucrative markets, which currently represent over 15% of their global market. They also firmly believe that the best way to access these opportunities in the GCC and the Middle East region is via Gulf Print, that covers and attracts visitors and exhibitors from Saudi, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Egypt, Jordan and of course the UAE.

On a recent visit to Beijing's own print industry trade fair, Ms Lina Alousta, Project Manager of Gulf Print, met up with many of her exhibitors. She commented that "all are eagerly awaiting their visit to Dubai later this year, from exhibitors to visitors alike. China has nurtured technological innovations across a number of manufacturing industries, including print. Suppliers there have the ability to deliver machines that are technologically advanced and meet the needs of many Middle Eastern customers." A move that has prompted Western suppliers to explore links with Chinese manufacturers. One such example is Purple Magna, represented by agent Adel El Aidy in the UAE who has taken 100sqm stand at Gulf Print 2005.

"This has prompted international print manufacturers and suppliers to focus their interests on Dubai as a strategic point between East and West, where demand for print technology is high and rising", added Ms Lina Alousta, Project Manager of Gulf Print. She further stated, "that one of the successes of Gulf Print is due to the printing sector being one of the top 10 industrial sectors in the Emirates and, according to studies by the UAE Printers Association, is growing at between 6-7% per year.

Gulf Print's validity as a truly important industry event is further endorsed by the numerous multinational companies taking part. Key international exhibitors include Moog Gmbh, Presstek, Heidelberg, Digitage, Creo, Notronics, HP and Artwork Systems together with the support of local exhibitors such as Dubai's International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Layout Middle East and Al Hashemi.