Paperworld Middle East, the region’s largest international trade fair for stationery, paper, gifts and office supplies, opened today (18 March) in Dubai, featuring 305 exhibitors from 42 countries.
Running for three days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the annual showcase was opened by H. E. Butti Saeed Al Ghandi, Second Vice-Chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre.
With a new ‘More than Paper’ theme for 2019 and beyond, the 9th edition of Paperworld Middle East opens with an expanded product offering, underlined by its co-location with Leatherworld, where 23 exhibitors are presenting their latest finished leather goods, from garments, footwear, and bags, to unique hand-crafted accessories and luxury gift ideas.
Other dedicated product groups across an increasingly diversified portfolio include the Corporate Gifts area, packed with unique promotional ideas, while the Playworld Village is displaying the magical world of children’s toys and games.
A Green Room for sustainably produced stationery and office supplies is another show feature, along with a two-day seminar programme ensuring industry professionals and insiders are kept up-to-date with the latest Middle East market trends.
“While Paperworld Middle East remains as the region’s largest dedicated trade fair for paper, stationery, and office supplies, we’re adding other key elements that leverage the synergies between related industries, further emphasising the trade fair’s ‘More than Paper’ theme,” said Alexandria Robinson, show director of Paperworld Middle East.
“We’re delighted to return with all the popular highlights, including Wrap Star, the UAE’s only gift wrapping competition, and as is customary, we’ve added something new for 2019: the Qualatex Mystery Box competition, which invites professionals to create their own balloon décor that’s becoming increasingly popular at weddings, parties, and special themed events across the region.
“Then there’s the show itself, where exhibitors are presenting their latest offerings, from school articles, creative materials, and office and business supplies, to premiums and branded gifts, and baby lifestyle products. Whether a wholesaler or distributor, a corporation or commercial end-user, a buyer of corporate gifts or an owner of toys, baby and kids stores, there is something for everyone at Paperworld Middle East,” Robinson added.
The European presence at Paperworld Middle East 2019 is particularly strong, with more than 50 exhibitors this week hailing from the old continent. Long-time exhibitor Olmar from Portugal is among these, and is showcasing its eco-friendly range of Fegol branded products for office supplies, and Pajory for school supplies.
João Oliveira, Olmar’s CEO said: “We’ve managed to grow our sales in the Middle East and African region by 45 percent over the past three years and we hope to improve on that record. We’re currently exporting to 32 countries and we plan to add at least another two countries to that list by the end of the year. We’ve created very good partnerships with all the distributors that we’ve met at Paperworld Middle East and we always come back to increase the recognition of our Pajory and Fegol brands.”
Paperworld Middle East is organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, and is expected to attract more than 6,000 trade buyers and industry professionals from across the wider region.
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