Retailers promise new technology at GITEX Shopper 2006

"We've seen this show grow out of all recognition in just a few short years," says the DWTC's Director General, Helal Saeed Al Marri. " It is now a major show in its own right, used by the distributors and retailers from around the region as a focus for their marketing activities." Mr Al Marri noted.

This year, more than 150 companies will display the latest IT and consumer electronic products, with major vendors like 3Com, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Microsft, JVC, Kodak, LG, Samsung and Toshiba amongst others providing major support for channel partners. These will compete for the attention of an estimated 120,000 visitors with major retail players like Jumbo Electronics, Jacky's Electronics, Plug Ins, Emirates Computers, Sharaf DG, Cosmos, Trigon, as well as CompuMe, Grand Stores, RadioShack, Oasis Entreprises.

Hundreds of offers and promotions will be the order of the day from exhibitors all aiming to boost last year's takings of over AED 72 million ($19.6m).

Hot areas for consumer spending are expected to be:

* Mobile phones, with Aptec Mobiles, Cellucom and Nokia partner Emirates Computers all jostling to increase their share of the insatiable Emirates market for mobile phones. New mobiles and expected new services from second telecom operator du are expected to fuel demand.

* Laptops, with all major players riding the wave of new sales predictions from leading ICT analyst group IDC. This projects increased year on year sales of laptops in the GCC of just under 40% for this year and a further 25% next year.

* Portable devices, from new models from i-Mate to the new iriver device from Sharaf DG will be top of mind for many visitors, given the ever-increasing demand for portability.

"We're anticipating a real excitement from GITEX Shopper this year," continues Mr. Al Marri. "With consumer electronics forming a part of the Dubai life style, we anticipate major attendance from gadget watchers excited by the latest computer models and accessories on offer.," Mr. Al Marri remarked.

GITEX Shopper and Consumer Electronics Expo has established itself as the single largest retail platform for technology in the Middle East and this year has an expanded profile of that includes Consumer Electronics.