Paperworld Middle East 2025 Sets New Industry Benchmark

Paperworld Middle East 2025 wrapped up in true industry-shaping style at Dubai World Trade Centre. The region’s largest trade platform for paper, stationery, office supplies, and creative materials came to a close following three days of high-value networking and knowledge exchange.

Every corner of the show floor witnessed intense activity – from crowd-stopping headline launches and live demos to real talk on what’s next in paper, stationery, and office supplies.

Along with Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East 2025, the dual exhibitions reinforced their status as the region’s most influential trade platforms for the stationery, paper, office supplies, gifting, and lifestyle sectors.

Held from 11-13 November 2025, the events facilitated global sourcing and networking, drawing a diverse international audience to the UAE. The combined events showcased their broad international appeal with impressive figures: over 650 exhibitors from 38 countries, more than 12,900 visitors from 132 countries.

This year, significant emphasis was placed on innovation, sustainability, and market trends, providing a robust platform for business development. A major priority across both shows was sustainability, which was highlighted by the return of Project Sustainability. This feature showcased a variety of eco-conscious products, ranging from recycled stationery to energy-efficient office supplies.

The Hub Forum hosted meaningful conversations and delivered actionable insights on trends that are redefining the industry’s future. Over 35 influential speakers delivered thought-provoking sessions on topics including AI, sustainability, e-commerce, and digital transformation. Teresa Heitor Goncalves, Portfolio Director – Consumer Goods, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, says, “The insights shared during discussions show how much the sector is evolving. It’s clear that regional companies are focused on growth, collaboration, and long-term resilience. Bringing the industry together at Paperworld Middle East provides an important platform for these shared priorities to take shape and move forward.”

Back by popular demand, the Artistry Workshop series featured a wider programme with new creative participants. In addition to long-term collaborators Funun Arts Group, the four additional brands that joined the 2025 lineup included Al Waraq, FoscART, skilldeer, and SkriblBox. Each workshop offered art enthusiasts and visitors the opportunity to explore the artistry of paper and design in new and meaningful ways.

Premium Writing Instruments, the new product segment introduced at Paperworld Middle East, highlighted the craftsmanship and heritage of leading global brands that included a selection of writing tools and stationery from across the world.

Key decision makers and senior buyers were offered access to Premium Club, an exclusive programme designed to streamline the purchasing process and foster direct connections with exhibitors. The platform offered hundreds of direct purchasing decision makers and influencers an opportunity to engage in discussions and explore potential business opportunities for their ongoing and forthcoming projects.

Also making its debut was The Spotlight, a joint showcase from Paperworld Middle East and Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, which brought together some of the cleverest ideas, boldest designs, and products that stole the show – from smart glasses with immersive music and AI-driven language translation to a pencil that never ends!

The co-located Gifts & Lifestyle show effectively complemented the stationery and office supplies displayed at Paperworld with an expansive range of products across home décor and personal accents, corporate gifting and lifestyle, and infant and child care.

Paperworld Middle East and Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East generated significant momentum, resulting in record-breaking attendance and numerous business deals. Participants connected with key buyers gained valuable insights into the latest industry trends, cementing the co-located exhibitions as crucial sourcing platforms in the Middle East.

“As the only platform of its kind, Paperworld Middle East and Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East 2025 brought together the global paper, stationery, gifting, and lifestyle industries under one roof, offering unrivalled opportunities to explore the latest trends, meet international suppliers, and be inspired by creative expression and innovation,” adds Goncalves.

The next edition of Paperworld Middle East and Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East will take place from 26-28 October 2026 at the same venue.