Middle East businesses look for green alternatives in ICT sector

Dubai: Businesses in the Middle East are turning to green alternatives when updating information and communication technology (ICT) products and the change will be one of the major themes at this year's Gitex Technology Week from October 19-23.

Many companies are now incorporating strategies on both the business side and on an individual responsibility basis, to reduce waste and energy in a drive to become more sustainable. Experts predict that 'going green' will be one of the most important factors over the next decade.

"Middle East leaders are putting a lot of money and commitment into developing new and environmentally sustainable products to combat the problems of climate change. A number of exhibitors at Gitex Technology Week will be unveiling the latest hardware which is energy efficient and low on non-renewable materials," said Helal Saeed Al Merri, director-general, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gitex Technology Week.

The World Bank states that two per cent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions currently come as a result of ICT and there is now a concerted effort within the industry to find more environmentally solutions which are also financially beneficial to businesses.

Several exhibitors who are focusing on green issues at the event include 3M, Dell, NEC-Philips, Panasonic, Sharp and Samsung. Sharp is targeting a 40 per cent expansion in the region this year and expects more than 50 per cent of the sales to come from environmentally-friendly products in the coming years.