Travel & Tourism News Middle East

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution would have a more profound impact on the media and publishing industry than all other revolutions before it said Omar bin Sultan Al Olama UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Al Olama was delivering his keynote speech on the opening day of the 13th edition of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (Wan-Ifra) Middle East Conference organised in association with Dubai Production City (DPC). The event brought together over 300 media experts publishers journalists policymakers and other stakeholders from around the globe for a series of industry talks and sessions under the theme Roadmaps for Transformation . Hosting several thought sessions on modern publishing platforms content and commerce the event runs until 1 March at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Al Olama said: I do not come bearing good news or bad news ...

Boeing the world s largest aerospace company and Oerlikon a leading technology and engineering group signed a five-year collaboration agreement to develop standard materials and processes for metal-based additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing popularly known as 3D printing is a controlled process in which material is joined or solidified to create a three-dimensional part. This agreement is an important step toward fully unlocking the value of powder bed titanium additive manufacturing for the aerospace industry said Leo Christodoulou Boeing chief technologist. Boeing and Oerlikon will work together to standardize additive manufacturing operations from powder management to finished product and thus enable the development of a wide range of safe reliable and cost-effective structural titanium aerospace components. Dr. Roland Fischer CEO Oerlikon Group said: This program will ...

The total value for printing in the Middle East will be worth more than 20 billion for the first time in 2018 as the market continues to grow and transform according to a recent report. The latest data was drawn from exclusive research conducted for the Smithers Pira report entitled The Future of Global Printing to 2022 . This is testament to the fact that the Middle East is still a relatively immature market for the consumption of printed media. Although many Middle Eastern consumers will follow the general global trend of adopting electronic alternative to traditional print media like newspapers and magazines there is still scope for in other segments like printed packaging said the report. With a positive business landscape on the horizon commercial print and package printing stakeholders from around the region will gather to discuss latest industry trends and how to sustain future growth at the firs...

Canon Middle East a leader in imaging solutions showcased its market-leading range of print solutions at the recent Saudi Print and Pack which took place in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Demonstrating a continued commitment to investment and innovation in Saudi Arabia Canon will present high quality technologies that meet the evolving expectations of commercial printers and corporate print departments of every size and type said a statement. Visitors to the event will witness demonstrations of the new 64-inch roll-to-roll Océ Colorado 1640 printer built on Canon s ground-breaking UVgel technology. The company will also present its digital production presses the imagePRESS C10000VP the ImagePRESS c850 and the ImageRunner advance 8505 the new Océ VarioPrint 6000 Titan series of digital monochrome production presses and the recently launched varioPrint 140 series of production printers. These innovations are desig...

Canon Middle East a leader in imaging solutions showcased its market-leading range of print solutions at the recent Saudi Print and Pack an international exhibition for printing and packaging technology in Riyadh. The four-day event concluded yesterday (January 24) at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC). Visitors to the event witnessed demonstrations of the new 64-inch roll-to-roll Océ Colorado 1640 printer built on Canon s ground-breaking UV gel technology. The company also presented its digital production presses the ImagePRESS C10000VP the ImagePRESS c850 and the ImageRunner advance 8505 the new Océ VarioPrint 6000 TITAN series of digital monochrome production presses and the recently launched VarioPRINT 140 series of production printers. These innovations are designed to enable print service providers (PSPs) and corporate companies produce high quality at increased speeds...

Xerox and Electronics For Imaging (EFI) have demonstrated a new Fiery digital front end (DFE) that will give print providers a powerful new tool to manage high value jobs that require special embellishments and effects using dry inks including silver gold and clear. Keypoint Intelligence-InfoTrends projects that digital print enhancement volume will grow at a 27 per cent compound annual growth rate through 2020 providing print operations with new business that promises both growth and profit1. This new development by Xerox and EFI is a testament to the commitment by both suppliers to enrich their solutions with efficient production workflow processing power and colour management needed for the range of applications produced today said Ron Gilboa group director Keypoint Intelligence. These tools are critical for print providers who are looking to grow their business and offer their clients differentiated soluti...

The digital textile printing market is expected to grow at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 18 per cent globally till 2021 according to a recent data. International Expo Consults (IEC) part of Falak Holding has earmarked textile printing digital signage LED as the sectors to watch out for in 2018. Sign & Graphic Imaging Dubai 2018 (SGI Dubai 2018) the Middle East s largest printing signage and graphic industry show which opened yesterday (January 14) caters to the needs of exhibitors and visitors in the LED and textile printing industries apart from signage outdoor media screen and digital printing industries. The show will run until January 16th at Halls 4 5 6 7 and 8 within the Dubai World Trade Centre. Sharif Rahman CEO International Expo Consults organiser of SGI Dubai 2018 said: Some of the highlighted areas at the show to be considered are heat tran...

Dubai-based International Blockchain Capital (IBC) a leading fintech group has bought into home-grown media brand Acumen Advertising as part of the group s diversification plans for 2018. The IBC Group was established in 2014 in the UAE and traditionally invested in Blockchain technology projects that were globally funded by HNIs and private family offices. The Group is also a substantial owner and early adopter of various digital currencies. Acumen Advertising led by industry veteran David Tobias and Alia Al Nabooda is a Dubai based communications outfit and has been in business for 25 years. During the course of its existence the organization has been associated with some of the most valuable brands locally and internationally including Standard Chartered Bank and Rotana Hotels. The company has evolved since increasing its digital offering portfolio which helped spark the investment interest from IBC Group. Blockc...

Some of the largest manufacturing names operating in the international printing community as well as leading trade publications will attend the inaugural Gulf Print & Pack Summit to be held in March in Dubai. The event a comprehensive event in the region for senior level print industry professionals will take place on March 4 and 5 at Roda Al Bustan Hotel. The summit has announced availability of conference passes for the event said a statement. Xerox has been confirmed as the event s official platinum sponsor and the summit will be supported by some of the other top companies in the industry it said. Aimed at printers/converters brand owners retailers and graphic packaging and label designers the summit will discuss cutting-edge print technologies and applications future trends in print production and effective strategies for business excellence and economic growth it added. Chris Lyn...

InnoTech a top fabrication company based in Seeb Oman recently held two workshops on 3D printing for businessmen and engineers in Muscat a report said. Sponsored by BP Oman as part of its social investment programme the event saw more than 100 participants reported Times of Oman . These courses were held at the Nizwa Cultural Centre and the Ibri College of Technology where participants spent four days of practical training in 3D design 3D printing and digital fabrication skills as part of a technique known as additive manufacturing. On the first day participants learned how to design 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software which is used to increase designer productivity improve design quality and create a manufacturing database. The following day highlighted the use of more complicated design tools and later a competition was held where participants vied to build the highest tower using some of the tools to simulate h...

The American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) and American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently held a three-day workshop on robotics and 3D printing in construction industry. The objective was to highlight potential opportunities in research and development in construction and introducing how robotics and automation could help increase cost-effectiveness and reduce labour requirements and construction waste. During the event the AUS also showcased some of the best 3D printing projects of its senior students. The robotics and 3D printing in the construction industry workshop is in line with AUSE s commitment to boost scientific and technical innovations that support Sharjah s efforts in building a knowledge-based economy said the statement from the university. Ause has further encouraged this step by adopting robotics and 3D printing as construction tools. Prospects for the 3D printing in cons...

Immensa 3D Printing Institute (I3DPI) a first of its kind academic and training provider that is focused exclusively on additive manufacturing (AM or 3D printing) has launched in Dubai UAE to support the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy . I3DPI which is the first licensed institute of its kind is being established to provide a platform to educate provide training and certify individuals in the various aspects of additive manufacturing said a statement from the company. I3DPI was launched to support the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai by providing a unique platform for advancing AM knowledge and skills across the region it said. I3DPI s 22 specialised courses will cover a wide array of subjects related to 3D Printing and range from basic level to more advanced sector and application specific...

Millennials and baby boomers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia feel they are represented better by the media than by advertising in their country of residence according to new research by YouGov Omnibus a unit of the international Internet-based market research and data analytics firm. The online survey comparing the opinions of over 2 000 respondents born between the mid-1940s and mid-1960s (baby boomers) and between the early 1980s and mid-1990s (millennials) asked how well represented they feel by the way they see people look act and have similar views to them in the media and advertising. When it comes to the media 60 per cent of millennials say they feel well represented against 27 per cent who feel that they are either not very well represented or not represented at all. The net score for millennials (those who feel well represented minus those who do not) is 33 per cent; three times higher than that of baby boomers (10 per cent). By cont...

The global construction industry is entering a revolutionary era with the world s first 3D-printed skyscraper expected to take shape in less than five years according to global experts. This game-changing technology that promises to disrupt today s building techniques will have its set in Dubai and - just like anything yet unseen - is drawing public attention as well as many questions said the experts ahead of The Big 5 expo in Dubai UAE. The largest construction event in the Middle East The Big 5 will run from November 26 to 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Those in search of the answers will have the chance to listen to the man behind the first 3D printed skyscraper project Chris Kelsey at The Big 5. Speaking at the Excellence in Construction Summit the high-level conference organized by The Big 5 on November 26 Kelsey the CEO of Cazza - the world s leading 3D printing company will unveil how Dubai i...

The American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) has launched a series of workshops to explore the pivotal role of robotics and 3D printing in Sharjah s construction sector. Launched in cooperation with Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK) one of Finland s largest universities of applied sciences the workshops were themed The Importance of Robotics and 3D Printing in Developing the Construction Sector in Sharjah . The first workshop hosted by the American University of Sharjah (AUS) revolved around the latest innovations in the world of robotics and 3D printing in relation to the construction industry. Leading architects led the discussions that also focused on the AUS s major contributions to 3D printing technology development in support of the UAE s sustainable development efforts. Four Finnish experts AUS instructors and students engineers and specialists from the government ...

Voxeljet a leading provider of high-speed large-format 3D printers and on-demand parts services to industrial and commercial customers is set to release its first 3D printing system based on new high speed sintering (HSS) process at Formnext trade fair in Germany. A major event for additive manufacturing and the next generation of intelligent manufacturing solutions Formnext will run from November 14 to 17 at Frankfurt. The company s material sets so far have focused on tooling and pattern making applications but with HSS voxeljet will be entering the thermoplastics market with the ability to directly manufacture end-use products. In addition to voxeljet s present solutions portfolio the new HSS process enables printing of parts with properties and qualities similar to Selective Laser Sintering Multi Jet Fusion or injection molding said a statement from the German group. Versatile and fully functional ...

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Siemens have partnered in a bid to seek to extend the sources of spare parts for the Dubai metro and increase their availability reduce obsolescence issues and enable getting improved parts with better performance and increased features. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is an additional step that will practically enhance RTA s already applied 3D printing initiative a statement said. Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younes CEO of Rail Agency signed the MoU for RTA and Alexander Biron von Curland senior executive vice president Mobility Siemens Middle East signed it for Siemens. This step would certainly consolidate RTA s constant efforts to back up Dubai s endeavours in becoming the world s smartest city in three years which would definitely contribute to make the residents of Dubai its visitors and tourists happier and more satisfied said Younes. ...

The Mopria Alliance a global non-profit membership organization with focus on mobile printing has provided core printing technology to deliver intuitive mobile printing in the new Android 8.0 Oreo operating system. This contribution is the result of ongoing collaboration with the Google Android team via the Android Open Source Project and the Mopria Alliance. Android 8.0 Oreo s new Default Print Service features core technology from the Mopria Print Service immediately delivering mobile printing convenience in the Operating System. With Mopria technology at the core of the Android 8.0 Oreo Default Print Service users no longer need to download a mobile printing service and printer discovery is automatic allowing easy mobile printing to more than 100 million Mopria certified printers from any Android 8.0 Oreo device. Mobile printing should be intuitive and ubiquitous whether you re at home in the office or on t...

UAE-based Immensa Technology Labs a leading additive manufacturing (AM or 3D printing) company has recently been awarded the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification in the field of Design and Additive Manufacturing Services. The certification makes Immensa Technology Labs the first 3D printing company in the Middle East and one of only a few in the world to be recognised with the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard. Fahmi Al-Shawwa CEO of Immensa Technology Labs said: Following months of challenging work and external audits we are delighted to have been awarded this ISO certification which is a testament to the exceptional quality and global competitiveness of our services. While the region has lagged behind the rest of the world in the adoption and integration of 3D printing technology Immensa has forged ahead and bridged the gap by offering cutting-edge services that are on par with the top international providers out th...

The global market for 3D printing is expected to be worth 17.46 billion in 2020 from 6.51 billion in 2016 said a report highlighting the current status of the regulatory framework and best 3D printing markets for investments. The healthcare industry is proving to be an enthusiastic adopter of the 3D printing technology and the widespread use of this technology will lead to better treatment modalities and approaches better materials and eventually better lives for both the patient as well as the surgeon added the report titled 3D Printing Systems in Healthcare Forecast to 2020 from Frost & Sullivan a growth partnership company. Challenges such as low reimbursement rates lack of clear regulatory framework and issues related to cybersecurity and intellectual property need to be addressed for 3D printing to get into mass production it said. 3D printing saves healthcare facilities substantial costs by acce...

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has organised 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Workshop in cooperation with General Electric (GE). This is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between Dewa and GE last March to collaborate in 3D printing additive manufacturing and Industrial Internet technologies. The workshop supports Dewa s 3D Printing plan in cooperation with the GE Additive Manufacturing Unit. The workshop was attended by Dr Dalya Al Muthanna president & CEO of GE Gulf Dewa s executive vice presidents and vice presidents 50 Dewa staff and officials from GE Additive Manufacturing Unit. Through our R&D initiatives at Dewa we are working to optimise the potential of 3D printing additive manufacturing and other innovative technologies. We are currently building an R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park which includes a laboratory fo...

The field in the pharmaceuticals sector that is most likely to be disrupted by 3D printing is the distribution of drugs because of the ease of obtaining customized dosage quantities of medication a report said. Using 3D-printed tissues for drug testing clinical trials and toxicity testing will have a huge impact in the pharmaceutical sector as they will help eliminate costly animal testing and use of synthetic tissues noted Frost & Sullivan TechVision research analyst Madhumitha Rangesa. However traditional large-scale manufacturing is still more economical for mass production of drugs; 3D printing will be viable for small-volume production in orphan diseases. 3D Printing for Healthcare Applications recent research from Frost & Sullivan s TechVision (Medical Devices & Imaging) Growth Partnership Service program finds that there is a slow shift in pharma toward con...

Europe will take the lead in disrupting the building sector with the help of 3D construction printing within the next three to five years according to industry experts taking part in a recent building expo in Copenhagen Denmark. The high European labour costs are driving the sector towards automation and reducing the use of human resources but the regulations needs to be updated they stated. The experts were speaking at the first Scandinavian 3D construction conference being organised by Larsen & Partners in partnership with sister company 3D Printhuset. The conference was completely sold out with more than 160 attendees linked to the construction sector from seven different countries taking part in the event. At the conference the participants could hear 3D printing and construction experts explain the different 3D construction printing technologies applied in more than 40 global 3D construction printing p...

Digitalisation will have massive impact on the future of the commercial and package printing sectors according to some of the biggest names in the industry attending the ongoing Gulf Print and Pack event in Dubai UAE. The event which opened on March 26 will conclude tomorrow (March 29) and is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Flexo and digital are the new market trends. Packaging printers are looking for digital options to cope with short runs Roger Nicodeme general manager-sales of Heidelberg a well-known global player in the printing industry who is keen on developing their digital business in the next two years. Digital packaging technologies are still developing and new technologies will come soon he said. Many industry stakeholders have noted a major shift in the Middle East at both customer and service provider levels. Nayyar Ansari business de...

The Dubai Health Authority s (DHA) dental department is set to begin using 3D printed technology to print 3D model of teeth for producing prosthesis for its patients. The use of this technology is the beginning of the Authority s ambitious plans to use 3D printing in all fields of healthcare. The DHA s dental department has already procured all the necessary equipment and is now conducting training sessions for its staff members so that they can begin incorporating this technology. Dr Hamda Mesmar director of Dental Services Department at the DHA said: Using this technology a dentist will simply scan the teeth using an intra-oral scanner which will create a digital impression (image). This image is then sent across to the 3D printing machine through the intranet from different Dental Clinics within DHA which then replicates the image as a 3D model. The 3D image helps us with accu...

Dubai Health Authority s Dental Services department will begin using 3D printed technology to print 3D model of teeth for producing prosthesis said a top official at the four-day Arab Health Congress 2017 which opened today (January 30) in the Emirate. The use of this technology is the beginning of the Authority s ambitious plans to use 3D printing in all fields of healthcare. Dubai has already seen the inauguration of the world s first 3D-printed office building the Office of the Future which is near Emirates Tower and was built in just 17 days. The government aims to make Dubai and the UAE a global hub for 3D printing technology by the year 2030. Research is already taking place into the mass production of hearing aids prosthetics and implants. Globally scientists are working on the realistic goal of printing a real working human heart. Humaid Al Qatami chairman of the Board and Direc...

Mixed Dimensions a US-Jordanian startup specialised in 3D printing gaming and augmented and virtual reality sponsored the 2016 Arab Innovation Network Annual Conference (AINAC) held recently. Held in a different Arab city each year AINAC 2016 took place at the Le Méridien Amman Jordan. It welcomed around 200 students entrepreneurs academics and professionals from across the Arab World. Aiming to generate enthusiasm surrounding industry-relevant innovation AINAC 2016 highlighted the important role of interdisciplinarity in solving the world s most complex challenges. During the conference Mixed Dimensions held a hands-on 3D Printing 101 workshop providing attendees with a rare chance to observe and use Mixed Dimensions 3D printer. Led by the company s community manager Mohammed Misto and head of research Faisal Al-Nimri the interactive workshop covered the history of 3D pr...

Jacky s Business Solutions an end-to-end solutions provider to the signage sector will demonstrate the most comprehensive digital solutions and UV large format printing technologies at the Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East (SGI) 2017 trade event. The event opens at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Dubai today (January 15) and will run till January 17. As a supporting sponsor Jacky s Business Solutions will introduce the HP Latex 570 and HP Latex 1500 printers for the first time at the event. The 1.63 m large format HP Latex 570 printer for sign and display industry is designed for mid-size to large print service providers (PSPs) with increasing print volumes enabling customers to manage a variety of print jobs at a lower upfront investment and helping to meet peak production demands. With a width of 3.2 m the HP Latex 1500 printer is more suitable for mid-volume print services and provides fast affordab...

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Middle East has announced that German Press and Koot Al Watan Press two Kuwait based printing companies have added Konica Minolta printing machines to their businesses. The leading printing companies sought to improve turnaround times increase production capacity and better quality to further help them deliver exceptional products and services to their customer base said a statement from the company. Seeking to deliver digital printing in a more efficient and quicker way to its customers German Press one of the largest commercial printers in Kuwait selected Konica Minolta s Press C1100 a high speed heavy segment production printer it said. The new printer from Konica Minolta helped them to transform their customer service after becoming a central part of the business process it added. Another 15 year old Kuwaiti printing company Koot Al Watan Press w...

The 3D Printing technology is becoming fast popular due to ease of use and is expected to get further widespread as cost will come down significantly in the next five years according to a professor from the University of Sharjah. Prof Mohammad Al Shabi Mechanical Engineering Department University of Sharjah made this observation while speaking on 3D Printing The Horizons and Future at a recent seminar held at the Expo Centre Sharjah on as part of the UAE Innovation Week 2016. He said: Many think that 3D Printing will bring next generation industrial revolution. It can happen because it s so easy to manage. It started commercially less than 10 years ago and it has become so popular in such a short span of time. The success reflects popularity of this technology world over. Al Shabi said that the entire 3D Printing can be done by students in an office at affordable price. A basic printer ca...