The value of the GCC digital print market is expected to reach US$1.16 billion by 2029.
- FESPA is launching an event campaign in 2025 to showcase the newest technology to local printers and sign makers, along with a free educational program.
- The three-day event hopes to draw more than 150 participating brands and more than 4,000 view.
Following a wildly successful first event earlier this year, FESPA Middle East, which links top OEM suppliers and distributors from the print, textile, and signs industries with trade professionals and senior decision-makers, will return to the Dubai Exhibition Centre on January 20–22, 2025.
Global market research firm Mordor Intelligence projects that the GCC digital printing industry alone will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.93% over the next five years, to reach $1.16 billion by 2029. Furthermore, a survey released by Research and Markets, a Dublin-based market insights and analysis organization, indicates that the worldwide printing industry sector as a whole was valued at $357 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass $443 billion by 2028.
Despite the pandemic’s detrimental effects on the economy, print service providers reported an average 7% growth in income during 2018, according to the FESPA Print Census, a global industry research study updated in 2023. A favorable business outlook was indicated by data gathered from 1,788 respondents in 120 different countries. These respondents included companies that deal with signs and displays, screen printers, commercial printers, textile and garment printing experts, and package printers.
The need for environmentally friendly products and practices was one of the major trends observed at FESPA, with 72% of print buyers actively seeking out products that are either created sustainably or are eco-friendly. Shorter print runs, more personalization, and quicker turnaround times were some other noteworthy advances.
FESPA’s first-ever event, held in January 2024, drew over three days of attendance from over 3,000 brand exhibitors. There were 88 different nations represented among the participants: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, Iran, and Tanzania.
Nearly half of the attendees wanted to interact with exhibitors displaying 3D printing, signage, and displays, and nearly three quarters of visitors wanted to view the newest digital printing technologies. Additionally, print suppliers of gifts and promotional items, inks and consumables, and screen printing piqued the curiosity of visitors. Over $530 million was allocated for these guests’ combined spending.
Additionally, the program served as a perfect venue for FESPA’s free educational initiative, FLEx (FESPA Leadership Exchange), which featured top-notch instruction from eighteen international experts and included workshops, leadership sessions, and real-world demos.
“As an inaugural event, FESPA Middle East was extremely well received,” stated Bazil Cassim, Regional Manager (Middle East & Africa), FESPA. We had a 92% satisfaction rate with the event, and 85% of exhibitors anticipated generating over one million dollars in new sales. Additionally, the show is now a significant part of the exhibitors’ marketing plan.
“This has given us a great platform to develop FESPA Middle East into a leading event for the printer and sign industry in the region, showcasing new products and technologies, granting industry professionals access to top-notch educational content, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange.”
Please visit www.fespamiddleeast.com to learn more.
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