International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), a member of Tecom Investments, said the UAE printing industry will continue to witness steady growth momentum backed by the government’s investor-friendly incentives and long-term strategies.

IMPZ's statement came on the back of industry projections from the UK-based Oriental Press that competitive prices across the region will stand at 20-30 per cent below those of the UK and, in many cases, comparable to the price levels in China.

Highlighting the trend, the dedicated free zone for the printing, publishing, packaging (3P) and graphics art industries will mark its emphatic presence at the Gulf Print & Pack 2009 that will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai from April 6 to 9.

The event is regarded the region's key industry attraction drawing the participation of more than 12,000 trade professionals from the printing, publishing and graphic art industries.

The 2009 edition will for the first time feature the ‘Thought Leadership Conference’, a three-day programme of workshops and seminars designed to bring industry professionals together to explore best practice methodologies for the printing, publishing and packaging industries across the Middle East.

Saeed AlFalasi, executive director of International Media Production Zone, will deliver a speech on the opening day of the event, outlining regional drivers that will sustain the industry’s continued growth momentum.

AlFalasi said: "IMPZ complements Dubai’s vision of becoming a global media destination through offering the finest resources, cutting-edge technologies and advanced production amenities. Driven by strong interest from foreign investors, IMPZ is fast evolving into a vibrant community of popular titles and related media services."

"We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to business partners by creating avenues that enable them to expand their investments and operations," he pointed out.

Some of key offerings that IMPZ will be showcasing at the exhibition will include pre-built production units that include pre-engineered units containing warehouses with offices and showrooms and industrial land, available to investors who wish to build their own media production outlets.

Leading regional and global names in the printing, publishing, packaging and graphic media industries continue to locate their businesses at IMPZ for its immense advantages as a free zone cluster.

Strategically located 10 minutes from the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, 35 kilometres southwest of Dubai, IMPZ is conceptualised to complement Dubai’s vision of becoming a global media destination and provide a pro-business environment in the midst of a unique production cluster.

Tecom Investments’ media entities – Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone – provide a complete value chain of specialized offerings that have created an established community hub for the media and content creation industries in the region.

Since inception, Tecom Investments has encouraged the development of knowledge sectors and its business partners through various industry clusters.

Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Village, DuBiotech, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai International Academic City and Enpark are the other free zones under the Tecom Investments umbrella.-TradeArabia News Service