Business | Technology
Streamlined to deliver best value
With a more focused show, this year's Gitex Technology Week aims to meet the needs of the sophisticated market by introducing networking forums such as the Global Conference, the Gitex Majlis and the Gitex Digital Game World
- By Esha Nag, Senior Feature Writer
- Published: 00:03 October 19, 2008
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
- The Gitex Technology Week, beginning today at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, has been instrumental in supporting and facilitating the growth and subsequent increased spending in the ICT sector in the Middle East. The Gitex Technology Week, beginning today at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, has been instrumental in supporting and facilitating the growth and subsequent increased spending in the ICT sector in the Middle East.
According to a recent report by international
research company, Global Insight, the Middle East Information Communication and Technology (ICT) market is one of the fastest growing in the world.
The Gitex Technology Week, beginning today at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, has been instrumental in supporting and facilitating the growth and subsequent increased spending in the ICT sector in the
Middle East.
The event provides an effective platform for many of the leading brands in the ICT industry to meet existing clients, attract new customers, launch new products and services, heighten brand awareness and, in the process, empower, entertain and connect with almost 130,000 visitors expected to attend the show this year.
According to Greg Zaralides, Industry Group Manager
for the ICT Division (Dubai World Trade Centre), the Gitex Technology Week has built a strong reputation over the past three decades for providing an opportunity for the biggest global ICT companies to discuss opportunities in the industry and launch the latest products.
"As the market becomes more sophisticated, so does the Gitex Technology Week," he says. "This year we have introduced a more focused show through the segmentation of the exhibition and by developing networking forums such as the Global Conference and the Gitex Majlis (an executive business programme for CEOs and other top-level attendees).
The event will also provide interactive experiences such as the Gadget Glam show and the Gitex Digital Game World that will educate the market on how to turn gaming into a profitable business."
The exhibition is broken down into three segments -
Enterprise and IT (Gitex Business Solutions), Telecommunications (GulfComms) and Consumer Electronics. Zaralides says visitors to Gitex vary from senior-level management of international companies to IT directors and buyers, to technical staff from across the region and beyond.
"We have a good presence of decision makers who come to find out more about business solutions and conduct deals with many of the leading companies," he adds. Last year 3,300 suppliers from 82 countries exhibited at Gitex Technology Week. This year more than 3,300 international companies from more than 80 countries will be present at the event.
Key exhibitors in 2008 include etisalat, Oracle Systems, Panasonic, Sharp and Symantec.
Primary event in the region
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre, says, "Some of the largest names in technology use Gitex as a platform to unveil some of their far-reaching initiatives to the world.
In addition, it has become the primary event for Arab companies and government organisations to demonstrate their increasing contribution to the advanced technology sector." This year the Gitex Technology Week will provide one
of the most comprehensive updates of major e-government projects across the GCC region.
The Business Solutions segment of Gitex will explore ways
in which technology applications and industry solutions can help empower businesses, with vendors offering solutions to companies seeking to transform and streamline their business processes. Leading business and office technology brands such as Dell will be present. The networking and solutions sector will be represented by Cisco Linksys, Dimension Data, Dubai e-Government, Microsoft, Oracle and Secureway.
This year at Gitex, Microsoft will host a Microsoft Dynamics Partners Community stand in the main exhibition area, which
will showcase the Microsoft Dynamics (ERP and CRM) Business Management Solutions.
According to Tamer Elhamy, Business Solutions Manager, Microsoft Gulf, "Visitors will have the opportunity to review the recently released products as well as see an exclusive regional preview of the innovative solutions that will be launched in 2009." In addition, Microsoft will also host
a Microsoft Day, showcasing key technology trends and sharing best practices with top decision makers, partners and customers.
GulfComms, the telecom arm of Gitex, is the region's largest international telecommunications and networking forum for
the mobile, fixed, IP and satellite sector. Major operators and communications specialists such as Alcatel, BlackBerry, du, etisalat, Nortel Networks, Thuraya Satellite and the Telecom Regulatory Authority will be present at GulfComms to showcase a range of products and services.
The UAE's first nationally owned satellite operator, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat)
will be a first-time exhibitor. This year the Gitex Technology Week will include trade events that hope to look at new technologies to support an environmentally friendly working environment.
Several exhibitors such as 3M, Dell, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp will come together at the event to promote the adoption of energy-efficient standards, processes and technologies, while reducing computer power consumption. Tomio Isogai, Middle East Managing Director, Sharp, says, "All new products that Sharp brings in are designed
to use less energy and be more user friendly.
We will be showcasing our latest LCD televisions and monitors at Gitex that contain recyclable and environmentally friendly components and materials."
The Consumer Electronics segment of Gitex will have a Gadget Glam fashion show that will unveil state-of-the-art devices that are due to be released in the next 12 months. The Gizmo showcase will focus on technological advances and product innovations, while highlighting the upcoming brands in the industry.
Complementing the showcase is the Tech Walk fashion show that will provide a glimpse of some of the most highly anticipated products yet to be launched in the market.
Dubai World Trade Centre, the organiser of Gitex Technology Week, also plans to unveil the Gitex Digital Game World, organised in collaboration with Europe's leading online gaming league, Electronic Sports League (ESL).
Gamers in the region can either participate in the tournament or take part in free play. An exclusive pro-gaming area deploying the most advanced technology in electronic gaming will be created for tournament players. Around 200 computers will also be set up in a free gaming area where participants can play without prior registration to test their skills.
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