Surge in European participation as companies look to region to expand business presence

The fourth edition of the region’s leading trade fair for stationery, paper and office products, Paperworld Middle East 2014, got underway at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday (Tuesday, March 4th), 14% larger than the previous edition.

Paperworld Middle East 2014 was inaugurated by H.E Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry  who was accompanied by a number of leading government figures, senior industry representatives and senior managers from organiser, Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

The growing Middle East market for office and paper products has fuelled large scale interest from European manufacturers and distributors, who are represented in strength at this year’s exhibition with a larger presence than ever. This has led to 35% growth in the number of exhibitors participating since the exhibition first launched in the region just four short years ago.

French exhibitors, who have taken up 154% more exhibition space than last year and exhibitors from Spain, with a 90% larger presence, lead the growing European participation at the trade fair. Other notable contingents from Europe include those from Greece, Italy, UK and the Netherlands.

“Paperworld Middle East’s remarkable growth into a truly representative trade platform in a short period of time is powered by the strength of the global Paperworld brand,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. “Leading international manufacturers and distributors consider the exhibition an ideal show window for their products and services and rely on years of Messe Frankfurt’s trade fair expertise to gain seamless access to one of the world’s most significant markets.”

Innovative new products and trends making their debut at Paperworld Middle East serve as a bellwether for the regional industry. This year, as well as the usual interest in the range of stationery, paper and office supplies on display, trade visitors are also showing a keen interest in office automation, remanufactured and sustainable products.

This year also sees a reinforced presence at the exhibition of local exhibitors, including some leading names in the stationery, office supplies and paper products sectors as well as pulp and paper manufacturers. This underlines the key role played by trade exhibitions such as Paperworld Middle East in serving as a platform for local manufacturers and suppliers to reach a wider market.

“Paperworld Middle East serves as an effective forum where regional buyers and traders can interact with leading international brand names and suppliers, thus serving as an excellent business booster for the wider region,” said Mr. Farook Rahimtulla, President of Farook International Stationery. “We have had very favourable results from our previous participation and we look forward to more of the same for this edition,” he added.

'Paperworld Middle East has given us the right platform & opportunity to further strengthen our long lasting business relations with our existing business partners in the region, as well as find new prospective customers in virgin markets.' said Ms Winnie Chan, Director of Grandluxe.

Since its Dubai debut in March 2011, Paperworld Middle East has grown into a trade and networking event of significance that attracts industry-wide interest from international and regional manufacturers and suppliers looking to strengthen their market presence.

The Paperworld brand has been exported from Frankfurt to regions of importance to the sector around the world. The result is a global network of regional events that brings together demand and supply to the benefit of both exhibitors and visitors.