The inaugural Paperworld Middle East Awards was held yesterday evening at a prestigious ceremony at the Al Multaqua Ballroom at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Celebrating the most innovative products, cutting-edge technologies and exceptional brands in the paper industry, the awards also recognised the exceptional work of Farook Rahimtulla, owner of Farook International Stationery, with a special ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

The highest honour at the ceremony, the Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the stationery industry throughout their careers. Founded in Dubai in 1980, Farook International Stationery has grown into the UAE's top stationery brand, producing a vast array of office and school supplies, diaries, and envelopes and maintaining global acclaim for quality.

Speaking at the awards, Syed Ali Akbar, Show Director for Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, said: “The Paperworld Middle East Awards will now be an annual event that recognises and honours the outstanding contributions made by brands and individuals in the region’s paper industry. As the largest exhibition of its kind in the world, Paperworld Middle East founded the awards to celebrate excellence and highlight the best products in the industry. We would like to congratulate Farook Rahimtulla on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award, we are pleased to highlight his remarkable achievements in the region’s stationery industry.”

The award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges which included İrem Özkal, General Secretary of Tukid; international author and journalist, Purva Grover; Reesha Coutinho, owner of Pret a Papier; Shiba Khan, owner of Funun Arts; and Volker Jungeblut, owner of Volker.

Metacil won the ‘Stationery Product of the Year’ category while the ‘Arts and Crafts Product of the Year’ prize went to Schneider Pens for the Paint It 040 Twin Marker product. Other winners on the night were Cloudline for ‘Best Notebook/Diary of the Year”, Ittihad Paper Mill for ‘Best Office-Supplies of the Year’ for the Maram Multipurpose Copy Paper, and the ‘Writing Instrument Product of the Year’ was awarded to Uni Mitsubishi Pencil and Pangulf Marketing for the Uni-ball Air.

Underscoring Paperworld Middle East’s commitment to sustainability, the ‘Best Eco-Friendly Product of the Year’ will be an annual feature of the ceremony and this year was awarded to the Trident Group for the Spectra copy paper. Featuring the highly popular Harry Potter franchise, the winner of the ‘Licensed Product of the Year’ went to Maped for the Harry Potter Colouring Suitcase. Meanwhile  ‘Best School Bag Design Award of the Year’ went to S-Cool and the ‘Best Stationery Retailer of the Year’ was awarded to Skribl Box.