Understanding key to Kodak and Canon in the Middle East

- Kodak and Canon delivered keynote presentations on day one of Gulf Print & Pack, as well as participating in the pre-event press conference

- Event pre-registration up 20 percent and Middle East printing market buoyant according to suppliers and partners to the industry

Both Kodak and Canon spoke of the need to understand customers and their businesses in order to support the print market in the Middle East during a pre-event press conference on the eve of Gulf Print & Pack 2013.

Komal Sharma, Kodak’s vice-president of consumer and commercial, EMEAR and managing director for the Middle East and Africa, and Hendrick Verbrugghe, Canon Middle East’s marketing director, both spoke of this need during the press conference. Sharma (pictured, top) said: ‘There is little point in differentiation for the sake of it. Differentiation must add value to a printer's operations.

‘There is lots of interest from the region in technology, and we must communicate and share so we all grow together. We have to help and grow our customers through winning new business and supporting their existing customers.’

Pre-registered visitor numbers for Gulf Print & Pack 2013 were tracking 20 percent ahead of the last edition as the show prepared to open, with the event moving to the Dubai World Trade Centre for 2013.

Roger Pellow, chairman of Gulf Print & Pack, who was also present at the pre-event press conference, said the biennial show is widely regarded by manufacturers as being the major platform in the Middle East and North Africa for launching new machinery and materials.

‘Gulf Print & Pack is all about seeing the latest technology in action and finding effective and sustainable ways to enhance your business to stay ahead of the competition, he said.

‘Our show visitors are professional printers investing millions in capital equipment purchases and with advances in new technologies and capabilities, this is a key time for growth and strengthening business in the printing industry.’

The final member of the press conference panel was Saeed Al-Falasi, executive director of the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), who said: ‘This region holds significant opportunities for the publishing, printing and packaging industries. In MENA there are an estimated 1,700 printers who are able to seriously invest in high end equipment.

‘At current rates, the value of the print market in MENA is almost US$8 billion, but we would expect an excess of 40 percent growth on top of that by 2015.’

See photo highlights from the press conference here

Read more news from the Middle East here