A major Bahrain press has beaten off international competition to win one of printing's coveted 'Oscars', at a glittering ceremony in Athens.

Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej Press and Publishing has scooped a prize for High Printing Resolution at the annual awards given by global fine-paper producer Saapi.

The press won bronze in the annual reports category, with Germany taking gold and Italy silver.

Bahrain is the only country outside Europe to achieve such an honour, said press chairman Anwar Abdulrahman, who was in Athens to accept the accolade alongside press manager P Madhava Rao.

This year 838 printing organisations from 35 countries took part - the majority from Europe and parts of the Middle East.

More than a dozen UAE printing presses submitted entries to the competition, with others from Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan.

Judges divided prizes into nine categories, including annual reports, books, catalogues, magazines, calendars, brochures, general print, labels and packaging and printer's own promotion.

'This occasion is almost like the printing Oscars. Every press dreams of recognition at such a top competitive international awards ceremony,' said Rao.

More than 360 delegates attended the ceremony at Athen's historic Panathiniko Stadium - all with high hopes of recognition.

Abdulrahman praised Rao for setting a new benchmark in quality of printing in Bahrain - and building such a successful team capable of winning this global honour.

The press produces prestige publications such as Arabian Knight and Arabian Lady, as well as leading daily newspapers.

'It is such dedication and hard work which elevates small countries to the level of big ones,' said Abdulrahman.

'This is a fabulous, distinguished honour for our group, bearing in mind that it is the first time we have taken part.

'Many other institutions have been trying in vain for many years.

'We certainly look forward to achieving more and more, because with today's modern technology and professional know-how, no nation can claim to be better than another one,' he said.

The awards are held every year to celebrate print excellence.- TradeArabia News Service