Paperworld Mumbai, Gifts World Expo attract 23,485 visitors

The 2026 editions of Paperworld Mumbai and Gifts World Expo Mumbai concluded at the Bombay Exhibition Centre from 26–28 February, bringing together 425 exhibitors and 23,485 visitors over three days.

Organised jointly by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India and MEX Exhibitions, the co-located B2B trade fairs were held in Halls 2 and 3 of the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai with sectors including corporate gifting, lifestyle merchandise, stationery, office supplies, educational products, paper goods and creative materials.

The organisers said the shows attracted visitors from across India, including retailers, wholesalers, procurement heads, distributors, importers and e-commerce operators. International participation was also notable, with buyers attending from 37 countries and exhibitors from markets such as China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the UK.

The dual-format event enabled buyers to explore complementary segments in a single venue, allowing corporate procurement teams to evaluate gifting portfolios alongside stationery, writing instruments and packaging solutions.

The gifting segment featured corporate, festive and wedding gifting solutions including electronics, homeware, wellness products, gourmet assortments and customised merchandise. Meanwhile, Paperworld Mumbai presented a range of paper products, school and office supplies, writing instruments, arts and crafts materials, educational toys and creative learning tools.

Interactive features added to the engagement on the showfloor. A live papermaking workshop by Kagazipura demonstrated traditional techniques using recycled rags. The Sustainability Innovation Hub and Startup Zone highlighted emerging businesses and environmentally responsible product concepts. Educational toy exhibitors also showcased robotics kits, STEM learning modules and do-it-yourself science kits.

Knowledge sessions under the “Gift Talks” and “Paper Talks” programmes explored topics such as wedding gifting trends, export opportunities, employee engagement merchandise, university branding and packaging strategy. A session by Times NIE discussed the role of artificial intelligence in education.

Industry associations including the Pen & Stationery Association of India and the Corporate Gifting Association of India also supported the platform.

Reflecting on the show’s trajectory, Himani Gulati, director, MEX Exhibitions, observed that the 2026 edition marked a decisive phase for integrated sourcing in India. She noted, “Buyer intent was sharply defined, with corporates arriving prepared with procurement calendars and retailers focused on portfolio diversification. Presenting both exhibitions together has strengthened commercial efficiency by allowing participants to evaluate adjacent categories in one visit.”

 

From a global vantage point, Raj Manek, executive director and board member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings, highlighted the expanding international participation and the rising competitiveness of Indian manufacturers. He remarked, “The exhibition floor demonstrated strong product maturity across different product categories at both the shows like writing instruments, paper products, educational toys and sustainable gifting and corporate merchandise.” He pointed to structured buyer engagement and cross-border sourcing enquiries as indicators of commercial depth.

The next editions are expected to further strengthen cross-category collaboration, international sourcing and knowledge exchange within the sector.