Investments in themeparks, infrastructure and retail in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region will further boost the printing industry and the sector's revenues is forecast to grow at 7.2 per cent per annum, a report said.

Globally, the sector's revenue is expected to reach $26 billion by 2018, the Smithers Pira report was quoted as saying by an International Expo Consults (IEC) statement.

IEC, part of Falak Holding, said demand for the latest printing and digital signage systems is on the growth path. Old equipment is gradually and steadily being phased out to usher in new machinery, said the statement.

This growth translates into vast opportunities for printers, raw material suppliers and print equipment suppliers in the country, it said.

IEC is the organiser of the SGI Dubai show, one of the most anticipated events in the Mena region within the signage, digital signage, retail signage solutions, outdoor media, screen and digital printing industries.

SGI Dubai 2017 show, to be held from January 15 to 17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring exhibitors and visitors from the US, UK, Germany, China and Japan, among others.

The 20th edition of SGI Dubai is expected to receive thousands of visitors from different countries and they are set to witness the industry’s latest products and trends.  

Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman of IEC, said: “The printing industry has witnessed a paradigm shift over the last few years. Technology innovation year-on-year has resulted in top quality results with regard to printing and signages.”

“Today, attention grabbing digital and traditional signages, are a must to attract the customers. These tools will further enhance the effectiveness of marketing campaigns,” he said.

Sharif Rahman, CEO of IEC, said: “The printing press is regarded as one of the most important inventions of all times.”

“New technologies have been redefining the process of printing, thereby helping GCC countries to expand their domestic industries and generate the desired awareness amongst its customers. Also the increasing specialisation of UAE’s printing sector has seen a tremendous growth in creation of new jobs as well,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service