World Tobacco Middle East, a truly global event and the largest B2B tobacco show held anywhere outside Western Europe, will officially open tomorrow (12 November, 2024) at Dubai World Trade Centre. Attendees can experience the latest tobacco-related products first-hand, meet the sector’s leading suppliers, and get to grips with the latest consumer trends and innovations.
This year’s exhibition promises to build on the previous year’s success, and be even bigger and better than ever. The two-day expo, featuring 256 exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations, machinery, and equipment, is expected to attract more than 5,700 tobacco professionals, including manufacturers, equipment buyers, traders, and distributors from over 60 countries.
World Tobacco Middle East provides an ideal opportunity to access one of the biggest markets that is constantly expanding with a global platform to network face-to-face and do business with influential industry leaders and senior decision makers.
Leading brands showcase state-of-the-art solutions
World Tobacco Middle East will see packaging and labelling giant BOBST join forces with UV curing specialists IST METZ and adhesive application experts Baumer hhs to showcase their latest print finishing trends for tobacco packaging.
“By combining the knowledge base with our cutting-edge expertise in the tobacco industry, we are three pioneers offering the market unique strengths that together create a synergy for packaging and printing quality. Our partnership symbolises our commitment to providing the highest quality technology, a hands-on customer experience and a mutual drive for excellence,” says Mohamed Hassairi, Regional Marketing & Communications Manager Bobst Africa & Middle East and Turkey/Caucasus.
Visitors to World Tobacco Middle East can connect and explore the future of high-quality tobacco packaging and printing at BOBST’s stand U16/Hall 2.
Knowledge sharing; keeping abreast of latest trends
Running alongside on both days of WTME 2024 will be a free-to-attend conference programme that will have industry experts delve into the latest challenges and opportunities facing the tobacco industry. This year’s agenda looks into a variety of topics including tobacco trends and future outlook in the Middle East and Africa; ESG regulations; shisha tobacco, cigarettes, and other categories; emerging nicotine industry landscape with new categories and shifting consumer preferences; advanced manufacturing; updates on UAE excise tax; tobacco pest management; sustainability and innovation; smokeless tobacco market; and e-cigarettes and vaping, among others.
Market overview
The Middle East tobacco market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.10% during 2024-2032. The inflating popularity of smoking – often perceived as a social status or as a means of bonding – is primarily driving the market growth.
While tobacco cultivation has historical roots in the region, the contemporary market reflects a complex interplay of traditional practices and changing preferences. Additionally, the Middle East’s tobacco market is characterised by diverse consumption patterns such as shisha (waterpipes) and smokeless tobacco products.
Despite global health trends encouraging reduced tobacco use, the region has seen sustained demand for traditional smoking methods. The market dynamics are also influenced by regulatory measures and taxation policies implement by governments to address public health concerns. But despite these, the Middle East tobacco market continues to adapt, with a notable presence of international and regional tobacco companies.
Opening hours
(12 November, 2024): 9 am – 7 pm. (13 November, 2024): 9 am – 5 pm.
