RIYADH: Gulf Print and Pack 2025 debuted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, highlighting the latest technologies, innovations and sustainable solutions from over 150 exhibitors.

The event is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s printing and packaging industries while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Event director Barry Killengrey told Arab News that hosting GPP in Saudi Arabia was a long-standing aspiration for the organizers. He said its expansion was made possible by a partnership with Informa Tahaluf, a company with a local presence.

“The GPP event in Dubai runs every two years, so this was a timely fashion where we could effectively have one event each year,” he said. “So 2025 was a focus on Saudi Arabia, especially as it aligns with the country’s goal to replace imports with domestic production.”

The event seeks to encourage collaboration and innovation within the commercial printing and packaging sectors, particularly in developing markets like Saudi Arabia. Killengrey said it created vast opportunities across the printing and packaging spectrum.

“In such markets, industries are more fluid compared to the highly specialized and consolidated markets in developed regions,” he explained, adding that commercial printers might move into packaging, and packaging converters might also have a commercial print business.

This isn’t just about showcasing technology. It’s about creating opportunities, driving growth and shaping the future of an industry that is vital to the region’s economic development.

Barry Killengrey, Gulf Print and Pack 2025 event director

“These industries are highly entrepreneurial and tend to seize faster-growing opportunities,” he said.

Killengrey also highlighted the crossover between packaging machinery and printing operations.

“For instance, co-packers often print their own packaging materials, and brand owners or specifiers seek events where they can explore a wide range of machinery applications and market opportunities,” he told Arab News.

The next generation was also creating a much better appetite for longevity in printing and sustainability. Whether it was direct mail, menus or advertising, a focus on sustainable products was key, he added, acknowledging the challenges faced by global brands — particularly in the food and beverage industries — to adopt sustainable practices.

Killengrey said the expo addressed these by emphasizing innovation, design, shorter production runs and the use of diverse, environmentally friendly materials.

He added rapid advancements in digital printing and packaging technologies were expected to grow significantly over the next five to 10 years.

The event also features innovations in digital embellishment, automation and pre-and post-press workflows, offering attendees insights into the latest capabilities in flexible packaging, plate-making, cutting machines, folding machines, and corrugation technologies.

Digital technology is a key theme for the event, emphasizing their transformative potential for the industry.

“This isn’t just about showcasing technology,” Killengrey said. “It’s about creating opportunities, driving growth and shaping the future of an industry that is vital to the region’s economic development.”

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced that more than 18.5 million pilgrims visited Makkah and Madinah in 2024. This includes 16,924,689 Umrah performers and 1,611,310 Hajj pilgrims.

The minister revealed the record-breaking figures at the fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, which runs until Jan. 16.

The event, themed “The Road to the Nusuk,” is hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, featuring more than 300 local and international organizations displaying innovations to improve the pilgrim experience.

The event included the launch of Makkah Taxi, a new transport service developed by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Makkah Taxi began operations on Jan. 13, being introduced in phases for a smooth transition. The service operates around the clock with 47 locations around Makkah, including key stations and areas near the Grand Mosque.

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser presented the operating license to the winning company.

The fleet is expected to grow to about 1,800 vehicles by the end of 2025, enhancing transport services for Makkah’s growing demand, SPA reported.

Passengers can pay with cash or credit cards, with fares regulated by the Public Transport Authority.

The fleet features advanced surveillance systems, smart sensors, emergency buttons, and a dedicated customer service center for added security and convenience.

Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the commission, said that the vehicles are environmentally friendly and highly reliable, operating on hybrid and electric systems.

This reinforces Makkah’s position as a smart, sustainable city that blends technological advances with improved experiences for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and residents, he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior is displaying security systems powered by artificial intelligence, equipment, and digital solutions for crowd management at holy sites.

The ministry’s pavilion highlights the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, aimed at raising awareness of Hajj regulations, ensuring pilgrims obtain official permits, and supporting security and organizational efforts to provide a safe experience.

The Makkah region principality’s pavilion promotes awareness and regulatory compliance, while the Madinah region principality focuses on services for pilgrims and Umrah performers.

The four-day event features 47 discussion sessions, 50 workshops, and more than 130 speakers addressing sustainability, eco-friendly technologies, AI in crowd management, and opportunities for startups in the Hajj sector.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umm Al-Qura University is organizing the “Humanizing the Holy Sites” hackathon, inviting students, entrepreneurs and specialists to develop sustainable solutions that enhance the pilgrim experience and reduce environmental impact.