The Market

Gulf Print sits in the heart of its market, and reflects the growth for the region. And, it will not slow down, a recent report from PIRA International values the Middle East Printing Market at $5.3 billion rising to $7.6 billion by 2012, that is a staggering 45% growth. With a projected annual growth of 7.7 % the Middle East printing market is responding to demand, and is investing in quality, and quantity, and fast!

Where will the demand come from?

Unlike many national shows, Gulf Print is international in its scope, reaching out across the Middle East region, targeting many of the projected growth areas. Pira International predicts that between now and 2012 the growth areas will be spread across the entire region. And this geographic span is reflected in the targeted campaign for the event. The visitor capture for 2007 can be seen below. The marketing campaign for 2009 will build on the success of the 07 campaign, and put specific emphasis on the growth areas highlighted by Pira.

What is driving this growth?

Increase in literacy, and a demand for printed information. Unlike many mature markets in Europe, the Middle East's Newspaper and printing industries are flourishing.

• The rise in the GDP (currently running at 11% per annum in Dubai) the demand for fmcg, retail, and pharmaceuticals attracts the leading brands to the area, fuelling the boom in digital and wide format printing. Both of these are expected to continue to grow at 17.2% and 14.6% respectively.
• The introduction of initiatives such as IMPZ (International Media Production Zone) attracts publishers to the area, where currently in Dubai a magazine is launched every week.

The increase in demand for information fuels the newspaper and magazine market, which in turn puts increased demand on quality, speed and colour. Digital and wide format are responding positively to the increase in marketing and brand promotion, and the demand just keeps on coming. Infact as a market sector print is now one of the Middle East's' fastest growing economies.