The booming global market for digital imaging comes into sharp focus at PhotoWorld-Dubai 2006, the region’s only expo devoted to the new technology, opening at the Dubai World Trade Centre tomorrow and running for three days.

April 4-6 World Trade Center.

Taken From AME Info.

With worldwide digital camera revenue reach US$ 24 billion in 2004-05 – digital imaging is one of the world’s biggest growth industries.
And Photo-World Dubai 2005 is showcasing the latest developments in the technological revolution that is transforming the 164-year history of photography.

More than 70 companies from 15 countries are taking part in the event, including manufacturers of state-of-the-art imaging convergent products, new technology developers, providers of specialist services, and local and international buyers.

The show will be open to the trade and the public from 11am to 8pm and both sectors are responding enthusiastically to the opportunity to experience the very latest technology from the world’s top manufacturers and suppliers.
Camera-phones are driving the dramatic increase in digital imaging and last year overtook combined sales of digital and analogue cameras, says Justin Boutros, managing director of Channels Exhibitions, the organisers of Photo-World Dubai 2006.

More than 400 million digital cameras will be sold this year and more than three-quarters of them will be embedded in mobile phones. Sales of camera-phones have more than doubled every year since their introduction – rising from fewer than a million in 2000.

Boutros reports that the global digital imaging market is projected to grow to US $31 billion by 2009 with the Middle East and Asia claiming a 33 per cent share against the current 10 per cent.

‘The phenomenal growth is being driven by digital convergence, making imaging capability the dominant feature in almost all consumer products from camera phones to MP3 players,’ he says.

Exhibitors at the show include Epson, Adobe Systems, Apple, Acer, San Marco (SMI) Digital Minilabs of Italy, AFIF – the Spanish photo manufacturers association that represents leading album and backdrop producers, Assofoto Italiana – the Italian association of album manufacturers, and participants from the USA, Belgium, Italy, Germany, China , India, and Taiwan.

Intuit Technology will showcase Corel, specialized software from the UK used in digital photography; and Irma Trading-Dubai will exhibit jointly with the USA’s Pinnacle Systems, a global leader in digital video broadcasting and production. Special deals will be available on the goods shown.