DUBAI — Despite a steady growth forecast across the packaging industry, the upcoming Gulf Print & Pack 2018 summit – the most important must-attend commercial and package printing event in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region – is not without its own challenges.

One of the biggest challenges for the industry is cost because along with this need to be environmentally responsible, improve performance and increase profitability, is a reluctance of consumers to accept the rising operational cost, some observers say.

Ahead of the two-day summit on March 4-5 in Dubai, Lisa Milburn, the Managing Director of Gulf Print & Pack, says “the printing industry in the Middle East is dynamic and growing, but not without its own challenges. The summit will focus on how to deal with these, while embracing the many new opportunities available. In a fast and ever-changing business environment where innovation drives standards and competitiveness, the summit will give printers of all sizes the chance to learn from their peers.”

She said in an interview that a summit for commercial printers in the Middle East is driven by the development in the region.

“During Gulf Print & Pack last year we received feedback about the ongoing need for education. This is being driven by a number of factors, not least rapid technological advances. There was also a desire for a networking event in the two-year gap between shows.”

She further said that “after consultation with the industry and the creation of an advisory board (made up out of printers, suppliers and media), we launched the Gulf Print & Pack Summit with their endorsement. This consists out of a conference and table-top exhibition.”

The Middle East print market value is to reach $24bn in 2017 as forecasted in the Smithers Pira report entitled ‘The Future of Global Printing to 2020’. Overall market value will pass $28bn by the end of the decade with growth in excess of the of around 3% per annum, meaning the industry plays a pivotal role in promoting economic growth and trade for the whole UAE, Milburn pointed out.

Excerpts from the interview follow:

• What are the biggest challenges that commercial printers currently face?

While the print market in the Middle East is growing, it is not consistent across all sectors. There is also increasing competition from other media and, in terms of promotion, printed material is often expected as part of a larger, integrated solution. This may require expertise (for example in data management) beyond what printers have traditionally offered.

But the market offers plenty of opportunities as well. For example, digital printing remains one of the fastest growth areas, allowing printers to specialize in high value niche areas. While there are ongoing pressures on margins, added value services can help differentiate printers in ways other than cost.

• What are the benefits of attending this summit?

– Education. The two-day conference has 14 sessions, which include topics like market trends, case studies, industry challenges and new technologies. The speaker line-up is fantastic! A particular highlight is the CEO panel consisting of some of the leading printers in the region.

– Networking. The summit is a rare opportunity for the industry to meet during 2018. Plenty of time has been set aside for networking opportunities, allowing printers, brands and suppliers to interact in a friendly environment.

– New products. The table-top exhibition features some of the top suppliers from around the world. It is a great way for delegates to meet and evaluate a variety of potential partners in one place.

• What are the factors shaping the future of the printing business in the region?

There is a wide range of trends set to shape the print business. Dubai is positioning itself as a regional trans-shipment hub, meaning logistics is a key growth area for printers with digital print facilities and expertise in smart label solutions.

In addition the region has an overwhelmingly young demographic and a fast-growing middle class, who require high quality consumer goods and personalized services both web- and print-based. The luxury goods market in particular has requirements for high quality point of sale print and anti-counterfeit/brand security solutions.

Oil and petro-chemical primary processing industries also require print expertise in industrial applications (Hazchem symbols, outside storage in harsh environmental conditions etc). Lastly, the region is one of the few in the world where newspaper and magazine readership is buoyant and there are many new opportunities for niche growth in commercial print markets which require personalization, such as photo-books.

• Who will benefit most from attending the summit?

The summit is mainly aimed at commercial and package printers who are interested in exploring new business opportunities and learning how their peers are embracing changes in the industry. The strong focus on new technologies will also be of great benefit to brand owners, retailers and designers who are looking for innovation to set themselves apart.