Portugal-based The Navigator Company, a leading producer of uncoated woodfree printing and writing paper, aims to further deepen its commercial ties in the Gulf at the upcoming Paperworld Middle East in Dubai, UAE.

The event will take place from February 27 to March 1.

In recent years, the company has shown clear capacity for growth in the Middle East, helping to cement its position as Portugal's third leading exporter and the exporter that generates the most value added for the Portuguese economy, said a statement.

This region today is second only to Europe and the US in importance to the company, and it has established itself especially in higher value added segments and in mill brands, accounting for around 30 per cent of European exports of UWF printing and writing paper to the region, it said.

“Over five years we have been building up a stronger presence for its paper brands at Paperworld Middle East, and this is reflected in growing demand and interest in our products and brands in emerging markets with vast potential, like those of the Middle East, as well as Africa and Asia,” said António Quirino Soares, marketing manager, The Navigator Company.

For this year's event the organisers expect 6,400 participants from 93 different countries, with more than 313 exhibitors from 42 countries, said a statement.

The Navigator Company will be represented at the trade fair by a stand displaying its main office paper brands, such as: Inacopia, Discovery, Pioneer and Soporset, but with pride of place going to Navigator, the global leader in the premium segment – a brand celebrating its 25th anniversary, it said.

A special limited edition of the Navigator ream has been launched to commemorate this milestone, it added.

The company's plans for 2018 also involve expanding its range available to Middle East markets to include the premium products offered by its brands (such as Inacopia, Pioneer and Navigator) with FSC and Ecolabel certification.

In 2017, the Discovery brand launched a European competition for walking, running and cycling enthusiasts, helping to build a closer connection between the brand and the concepts of sustainability and eco-efficiency. The competition attracted a total of 1,139 participants, who together travelled 200,075 km, resulting in the planting of 2000 trees.

Alongside this, the Navigator paper brand ran the third edition of its travel writing competition, "Around the World in 80 pages", inspiring travellers from around the globe to share their adventures. The competition attracted 2,161 entries from 77 countries. – TradeArabia News Service