The UAE is riding high in the Middle East children’s toy sector, with the retail value of toys and games in the Gulf country estimated to comprise 28 percent of the regional market by 2020, new research has revealed.
According to analysts Euromonitor International (EMI), consumers spent $869 million on toys, games and video games in the UAE in 2015, comprising nearly a third of the Middle East’s $2.9 billion retail value for the year.
Spending in the UAE is estimated to be worth US$1.1 billion by 2020, increasing by 6.2 per cent annually, while the Middle East market overall will be worth just under US$4 billion in the same year.
Growth rates remain healthy due to rising populations, increasing disposable incomes, and a boost in tourism according to EMI, while at $101 per capita, the UAE is one of the largest spenders per population of toys, games, and video games in the world.
This will come as good news to international manufacturers and suppliers which have their sights set on boosting exports to key emerging economies at the upcoming Playworld and Paperworld Middle East 2017 trade show in Dubai.
The seventh edition of the three-day event takes place on March 14-16, 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, connecting exhibitors with more than 6,500 trade buyers from throughout the wider Middle East and African region.
New Capable from Hong Kong is among the manufacturers to have signed on at Paperworld Middle East 2017, and will use the annual platform to showcase a variety of toys, sport games, educational games, and children’s party items.
Returning exhibitors include Rockspring from Saudi Arabia, a supplier of children’s party items; and Yuhe Toys from China, a manufacturer of playground equipment and educational toys.
Debut exhibitors include Baby Mix from Poland, which covers a spectrum of baby items and Tigres, a Ukrainian manufacturer and distributor of children’s toys, baby bedding and clothing.
UAE to host trade exhibit for children’s toys, games and video games
UAE to host trade exhibit for children’s toys, games and video games
Dammam Airports partners with KaarTech to transform IT services
Dammam Airports, a key player in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, has partnered with KaarTech to deliver end-to-end IT managed services across its airport network in the Eastern Province.
This milestone advances Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and strengthens Dammam Airports’ commitment to delivering world-class travel experiences. The collaboration was inaugurated through an official signing ceremony attended by Mohammed Al-Hassany, CEO of Dammam Airports, and Shahinsha Abdul Basheer, CEO of KaarTech, signifying a shared commitment to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s aviation through innovation and intelligent technology.
Recognized as one of the world’s largest airports by land area, Dammam Airports connects more than 12 million passengers each year and plays a vital role in strengthening the Kingdom’s aviation growth. With this partnership, the company is set to transform its IT landscape into a secure, scalable, and intelligent environment that supports the complexities of modern airport operations.
KaarTech will manage the complete IT landscape across three airports, covering infrastructure, cloud, and network operations, along with 24/7 service management. This engagement also includes comprehensive application support beyond SAP, enriched with automation, proactive governance, and predictive intelligence. KaarTech will enable Dammam Airports to achieve resilience, efficiency, and long-term scalability through a comprehensive AI governance approach that embeds transparency, accountability, and innovation into every layer of IT operations, positioning the company as a trusted driver of aviation modernization.
This partnership aims to transform IT from a back-end function into an AI-enabled strategic driver of business performance and passenger experience. From ensuring business continuity and strengthening operational reliability to enabling connected, insight-driven airport services, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to data-driven, intelligent, and sustainable aviation.
Through this engagement, KaarTech reaffirms its position as a trusted partner in AI-led enterprise transformation, delivering deep expertise in managing complex technology ecosystems with intelligence and precision. For Dammam Airports, the partnership represents a decisive step in aligning operational excellence with the national vision for innovation, digital connectivity, and long-term growth.
Together, the two organizations will drive smarter airport operations and deliver sustainable value for the Kingdom’s growing aviation ecosystem.
