An increasingly diverse spectrum of countries will gather at this year’s Gitex Technology Week as representatives from both emerging and established IT markets seek to take advantage of opportunities from the Middle East.
New pavilions from Bahrain, Ireland, Serbia, Slovenia, and Sri Lanka will join the major nations of China, Egypt, India, Pakistan and the UK in presenting a power-packed week of dedicated trade segments, which include Gitex Business Solutions, GulfComms and Consumer Electronics.
More than 30 companies will be represented from Bahrain along with 10 from Serbia, eight from Slovenia, six from Ireland and five from Sri Lanka as the widest range of countries ever will be participating at the exhibition.
The show, open from 19 – 23 October from 10 am - 7 pm, is open to trade and business professionals only and takes place at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
During a difficult financial period for global IT markets many countries are planning to capitalise on the more stable Middle East market. A new report by Merrill Lynch & Co Inc suggests that the region is one of the few areas in the world showing continued growth.
Over 130,000 visitors are expected to attend the show. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event, said it continued to attract companies from leading technology hubs.
Research conducted by Business Monitor International, a specialist on global emerging markets, shows that Bahrain is set to increase IT spending from $27 million in 2005 to $400 million in 2012.
According to a recent report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the UAE’s IT spend is set to hit $2.3 billion in 2012, rising at an annual rate of 23.9 per cent.
The 2007 figure touched $791 million, a jump of 41 per cent, said the IDC. The consumer sector will lead the areas of spending in the UAE ICT market, which will hit $6.8 billion in the next three years, up from the present $5.3 billion.  The country’s present ICT spend in the energy and utilities, communications, and government sectors will go up to $1.2 billion by 2011, from the present $1 billion, said IDC.
Serbia, who’s ICT industry is the fastest growing in Europe, has seen a 37 per cent growth over the last year with the total ICT market now worth around $400 million.
“Serbia is bringing a large contingent of companies to reflect the huge growth of the ICT sector in Serbia. It is going to be a very important exhibition in highlighting to the Middle East the revolutionary solutions that are now available from ICT companies across Serbia,” said Vesna Peric, director of Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency.
Trade between the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and Ireland is also thriving. Nasser Zahran, senior market adviser for Enterprise Ireland – an Irish government agency responsible for developing Ireland’s overseas business, said: “Gitex Technology Week is a priority event for Enterprise Ireland as it allows us to showcase world-class Irish suppliers in the region’s most comprehensive IT shows.”
This year, the event will span 64,000 sq m, with over 3,300 exhibiting companies from more than 80 countries including 30 country pavilions. There will be more than 130,000 attendees, new product launches, interactive demonstrations, Gadget Glam - a product display and fashion show. A global conference, Gitex Majlis and a new feature - Gitex Digital Game World complete this year’s offering.