Paperworld Middle East 2016, the largest international trade exhibition for the stationery, paper and office supplies industry in the Middle East, wrapped up on Thursday on a positive note with organisers saying record exhibitor turnout yet in its six-year history has underlined growing regional demand for these products.

With 305 exhibitors from 36 countries spanning more than 5,000sqm at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Paperworld Middle East 2016 concluded with international and local players looking to the wider region as a key growth market.

The previous edition in March 2015 featured over 290 exhibitors and over 6,429 trade visitors from 105 countries within the MENA region that look to source for products and services offered by international and local companies. The number of key buyers and decision makers attending the exhibition continues to rise each year, making the show an important source of new business contacts.

The annual three-day event featured seven country pavilions spearheaded by European heavyweights Germany, Italy, and Portugal, while UAE participation was again strong, with 31 exhibitors taking part.

Paperworld Middle East has been the platform of choice for a large number of international exhibitors to launch products across the wider region. This edition saw a continuation of the trend with more than 50 exhibitors launching new products in 2016.