Dubai: Top leaders from some of the largest information and communication technology companies will converge in Dubai on October 12 for a five-day event that will encourage almost 100,000 conference attendees from 150 countries to focus on innovation and redefine the future.

Now in its 34th year, Gitex Technology Week is widely regarded as one of the world’s top three international information and communication technology (ICT) events.

The event runs until October 16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Buoyed by region-wide investment in smart technology spending, the region’s ICT market is set to jump from a projected $15 billion (Dh55 billion) in 2014 to $20 billion in 2020, boosted by infrastructure spending by the government sector — the largest and fastest growing vertical market, according to research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

More than 3,700 exhibitors from 61 countries are going to showcase the latest in technology in an area of 100,000 square metres.

Ahmad Al Khaja, senior vice-president of venues at DWTC, sad that the regional ICT spending is expected to by grow by eight per cent compared to the global growth of just 2.1 per cent.

“The significant regional ICT spend demonstrates the region’s aspiration in technology empowerment, as reflected in Gitex’s four knowledge themes — Smart Innovation, Cloud Computing, Big Data and Mobility — which are expected to accelerate over coming years in terms of regional spend,” he said.

Marwan Bin Haider, executive director of planning and development at Dubai Smart Government, said: “The region’s Smart City developments demonstrate how GCC governments are increasingly innovating delivery of services to people and businesses. The event is the leading platform to demonstrate best practices in government services and build support of Dubai Smart Government as one of the world’s most efficient systems architects.”

Smart technology sphere

With Dubai’s Smart City roll-out predicted to catalyse an acceleration of smart city initiatives in other GCC countries, the event will showcase a pioneering app-based Smart Journey Tour featuring more than 25 Smart technology leaders, as well as government-led updates on the progress of the Dubai Smart City initiative.

Abdullah Hashim, senior vice-president of digital services at etisalat, said that etisalat is part of the ecosystem in the digital world.

“Etisalat will be utilising the latest cutting-edge technology to ensure visitors receive an innovative smart-themed experience which reflects the rapid developments across the UAE’s smart technology sphere,” he said.

With the event presenting strategic investment inroads into the lucrative Middle East and African ICT markets, Africa’s largest economy and population, Nigeria will serve as the show’s Official Country Partner and represent Africa’s high-growth ICT market.

Nigeria has 120 million mobile users and 87 per cent mobile penetration by population, according to IDC.

“Nigeria has leapfrogged traditional communications to become an ICT leader. At Gitex, we will showcase our standing as Africa’s gateway for ICT investment opportunities and best practices on how connectivity can make a social impact,” said Peter Jack, Director General, Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency.

Ericsson will demonstrate how mobility will enhance daily lives in smart cities.

“A new level of mobility will enable the region’s Smart Cities, which is at the heart of our Networked Society vision, to positively impact daily lives at home, at work and in cities. People will be able to live more freely while enjoying smarter features everywhere in more sustainable cities — and Dubai is serving as a global benchmark in Smart City leadership,” said Nawar Atassi, Head of New Account Management for GCC and Pakistan at Ericsson.