Largest international trade show for paper, office supplies open in Dubai

Dr Thani Bin Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, officially inaugurated the 13th edition of Paperworld Middle East and its co-located event Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, on Tuesday.

This year marks the largest edition of Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, with more than 12,000 visitors expected to attend over the next three days.

Paperworld Middle East is now in its 13th year and is the fastest-growing show of its kind in the world. The event is complemented by Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, which focuses on corporate gifting and features an extensive portfolio of home and lifestyle products.

Syed Ali Akbar, Show Director for Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East commented: “Paperworld Middle East is the pinnacle international destination for distributors, retailers, wholesalers and franchise owners in the paper and stationery sector. Combined with Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, these partner events offer a once-in-a-year opportunity to discover products from over 100 countries under one roof.”

Several exhibition stands across Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East were visited during the grand opening tour, including Ittihad Paper Mill, Kangaro, Scrikss, Ramsis Industry, Flamingo, Main Paper, Farook International, Roco and Pan Gulf Marketing. In addition, His Excellency visited country pavilions from Germany, India, Turkiye and China as part of the official opening.

Ali added: “This year’s event theme “Crafting Global Connections,” emphasises Dubai’s role as a hub where professionals from around the world converge. The international scope of Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East is evident in the number of country pavilions showcased on the show floor, each presenting a unique array of products and cultural influences.”

Exhibitor Sabrina Yu, International Sales Manager, Main Paper commented: “We have travelled to Paperworld Middle East from Spain and this is our fourth year exhibiting at the event. Each year, we connect with a large number of quality customers at Paperworld Middle East and we will continue to promote our brands here in the years to come. It was a pleasure to welcome to our stand today and provide him with an overview of some of our products.”

The Hub Forum opened on Tuesday with an informative presentation from Chrishanthi Niluka, Innovation Engagement Manager, DHL Innovation Center, Middle East & Africa, on ‘Future-Forward Sustainability in Logistics Packaging’. The presentation shared insights on the innovative strategies, technologies, and practices driving sustainable progress in the printing and packaging industry.

Other topics on the agenda at the forum include ‘The Art of Corporate Gifting – Middle Eastern Traditions and Trends’ and ‘Integrating Best Practices in Paper Manufacturing: Innovations and Opportunities.’

After months of qualifying rounds, the Battle of the Brushes competition reaches an exciting conclusion today. Created by Funun Arts in collaboration with Paperworld Middle East, the community art competition set out to find the ultimate master artist and has included several qualifying rounds.

Finalists will compete today in four categories – Abstract, Realism, Pencil/Charcoal and Watercolour and will be judged by an esteemed panel of UAE-based artists which includes Khalil Abdul Wahid, Faisal AbdulQader, Atul Panase and Akbar Saheb.

Paperworld Middle East brings together world-renowned brands, regional players, and promising innovators for an exciting three-day showcase featuring products ranging from office and school supplies to festive decorations and brandable merchandise. The next edition of the show takes place from Nov.12-14 , 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre, co-located with Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East.

Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, a vibrant platform showcasing the latest trends in lifestyle, accents, and gifts. Co-located with Paperworld Middle East from November 12–14, 2024, at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the event is the region’s premier showcase for mid- to high-end gift articles, baby and kid items, and lifestyle products.

The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,300 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2023 were more than € 600 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields.

One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events.

We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.

With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).

Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of exhibitions includes: Paperworld Middle East, Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Logimotion, Light + Intelligent Building Middle East. In the 2023/24 event season, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 6,324 exhibitors from over 60 countries and attracted 224,106 visitors from 159 countries.