Dubai: Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, opened the 30th edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (Gitex) in Dubai on Sunday.
More than 3,500 companies, including 675 new exhibitors, representing 65 countries are exhibiting their latest products and services in the Middle East's largest technology exhibition at a time when companies are looking to migrate towards new IT solutions platforms to boost efficiency.
In all, more than 133,000 visitors from some 135 countries are expected to converge in Dubai for the exhibition which concludes on Thursday, October 21.
The latest edition of Gitex boasts a display area that is 93 times larger than the first show in 1981. New additions to the event include:
Gitex Global Leaders Summit
Rajeev Asija, Executive Vice-President, Enterprise Solution and Services Business, HCL Infosystems – the strategic sponsor for the event; Ali Faramawy, Vice-President, Microsoft International and President, Microsoft Middle East and Africa, Microsoft Corporation; Bhaskar Gorti, Senior Vice-President and General Manager Communications Global Business Unit, Oracle; and Randi Zuckerberg, Director of Market Development, Facebook, were among business leaders slated to deliver keynote speeches on Sunday.
Steve Guggenheimer, Vice-President, Original Equipment Manufacturer Division, Microsoft Corporation, returns to the Gitex stage for the second year with a keynote speech on Monday.
Gitex Cloud Confex
The first ever Gitex Cloud Confex, with HP as platinum sponsor, is due to start on Monday. It will feature an exhibition and a series of in-depth sessions dedicated to cloud computing, often referred to the "essential ICT cost-cutter".
Gitex Mobile Apps and Content World
This segment is being introduced in response to overwhelming market demand with global mobile applications sales and downloads forecast to reach $15.65 billion (Dh57.47) by 2013 and the Middle East and Africa set to be the fastest growing market.
Gitex Business Solutions
This new element completes Gitex Technology Week alongside Consumer Electronics and the Global Conferences.
Gitex Technology Week
This segment is open to trade visitors and industry professionals only. Visiting hours are from 10am to 7pm, from October 18 to October 20.
On October 21, the show will open at 10am and close at 5pm.
Gitex Consumer Electronics
Entry to his section of Gitex Technology Week will be free. It will be open to the public from October 19 to 21 for product previews only.
