Key industry players confirm participation in GEMEX

Their enthusiasm demonstrates support for an event that is poised to merge the interests of a broad range of players and interests in this expansive industry and further boost Dubai's profile in this sector, internationally.

While Dubai already has a solid footing in the global entertainment media sector and many of its key players will be at GEMEX - the event is also attracting the interest and participation of important international players, particularly among organisations specialising in the cable, broadcast and satellite fields. Countries represented to date include Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

'GEMEX provides international players with an opportunity to solidify their presence in a region that aspires to strengthen its role in the media realm. To meet that goal we need access to a broad range of products, services and technologies. GEMEX is designed to be a key link in facilitating that objective,' said Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Assistant General Manager of the Dubai World Trade Centre

A solid local presence featuring many key area players is also evident. Among companies confirmed to date are Sony, UAE Radio and Television, Emirates Cable TV and Multimedia (E-Vision), Star Vision, Global Interactive Technology (GIT), Glocom, Seven Star Events & Productions, Tek Signals of Abu Dhabi, Technosat Trading and Bond Communications.

Emirates Cable TV and Multimedia, E-Vision, will use the event to highlight Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) technology; a new wireless cable system the company is launching in Al Ain in January 2003, and in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah soon afterwards. The UAE's only digital cable TV provider will also utilize its presence at GEMEX to highlight its plans to expand its viewer base which currently comprises over 200,000 customers.

According to Humaid Rashid Sahoo, Chief Executive Officer, E-Vision will also focus on e-View, its pay per view service, and e-games, its around-the-clock interactive games channel. 'We are confident that GEMEX is a great opportunity for us to further bolster our leading presence in the UAE market and meet other key players in the TV industry in the region,' added Sahoo.

Meanwhile, Sony Broadcast & Professional Middle East and Africa, which will have a three-pronged presence at the event, says it hopes to showcase its newest line of equipment for media professionals, particularly those in the broadcast segment. Sony will have a its own stand at the exhibition in addition to a presence at its UAE dealer's stand (Jumbo Electronics Co. Ltd.) and its dealer for Libya and selected West African countries (Procast).

'GEMEX is an important event on the broadcasting calendar and we are keen to maximize Sony Broadcast and Professional's presence at it. As one of the region's key suppliers to the multimedia and broadcast industry we intend to use the show as a platform to showcase our newest equipment lines and offer live demonstrations of exciting new technologies that are enabling regional broadcasters to maximise their potential,' said Phil Slack, Divisional Director of Sony Broadcast & Professional Middle East and Africa.

Hussein Anani, Public Relations Manager of UAE Radio and TV says GEMEX's ability to draw together a wide range of media and entertainment interests, will help create a synergy that will fuel further growth and development in this sector.

'Providing a forum for industry players to network is an important role for GEMEX and offering an exhibition and a conference program will extend new opportunities to exhibitors and visitors,' said Anani about GEMEX 2003.

Dubai Media City (DMC), the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E) have teamed up to create an immense international trade show. The exhibition will be complemented by a series of seminars, conferences and workshops being organised by Gambate! Communications Consultants, aimed at providing media professionals with an opportunity to learn about the newest trends and technologies fuelling growth of the media industry in the region and globally.

end