Technology giants and industry's top executives rally support for GITEX

CEOs and senior executives from technology giants today reinforced the importance of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, and have said that their support of this year's event will make an essential contribution to the long-term development goals of the Middle East's ICT sector.

Exhibitors are confident that the major innovations introduced by Dubai World Trade Centre for this year's edition - which includes dedicated industry segments, the Global Conference, and an exclusive Priority Club for visiting senior executives - will enable them to meet a higher volume of relevant customers and trade partners than ever before.

Despite the earlier timing of the event - which was moved to accommodate a major international congress that will bring significant prestige to the UAE - major industry figures will be present at the event to demonstrate their commitment to the wider market and to oversee some of the most important strategic announcements of the year.

Marketing investment and the amount of space used by exhibitors are at an all-time high this year, reflecting the ongoing growth of the Middle East's ICT market, which is set to reach the US$45 billion mark by 2010. The event is sold out with an impressive achievement of four companies hosting stands of over 1,000m2.

For HP Middle East's new Managing Director and Technology Solutions Group Leader, John Hoonhout, who was announced in the role in August 2007, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK offers an important opportunity to connect with customers and raise the profile of HP in the market.

"GITEX has established itself as the most successful IT show in the Middle East, it is in fact the annual meeting for IT professionals and customers in the region. HP is delighted to participate, as it has done for many years, to the 2007 edition of this important "rendezvous" and showcase its latest products, technologies and solutions,"

said Hoonhout.

"We see this year's GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK as a great opportunity to raise the profile of HP still further in the market and demonstrate HP's commitment to the Middle East," he added.

In addition to hosting a major exhibition stand, HP will also be sponsoring the Middle East's first-ever 'Gadget Glam' technology fashion show.

Oracle will have the largest single presence at GITEX Business Solutions, hosting major international executives and over 40 technology partners in its "OracleWorld" enclosure.

"The new channels that Dubai World Trade Centre have created for this year's GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK complement Oracle's strategy - we are winning more deals as customers increasingly prefer a single vendor who can meet all their needs, and the Sectorisation approach of this year's event will enable us to connect with such businesses," said Husam Dajani, senior vice president, Oracle Middle East and Africa.

Other industry leaders are set to use GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK to further develop their presence in the Middle East market. As the platinum sponsor of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference, IBM is intensifying its dialogue with regional stakeholders whilst demonstrating its commitment to the show.

"GITEX is the premier forum for building dialogue between professionals in the Middle East business technology space and we are taking a major role in backing the FIRST OFFICIAL GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference event," said Takreem El-Tohamy, General Manager, IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan.

"Our customer relationship in the region focuses on the delivery of business services and solutions, and we understand the need to create stronger and more elaborate communications around those offerings that are fostering innovation in this region today," he added.

Global players in the consumer technology sector are also maximising their presence at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK. Electronics giant Sony has increased the size of its exhibition stand space for 2007 and is a firm supporter of the new positioning.

"Companies who are serious about growing their business in the Middle East need to shine at GITEX, and Sony is making a full investment to ensure that we are one of the stars of the show. GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK is an important initiative for us in sustaining our market leadership in the Middle East and Africa,"

said Osamu Miura, Managing Director, Sony Gulf.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, acknowledged the support saying, "We appreciate the industry's strong support of the event and we look forward to working very closely with our key partners in the region to further their commitment to Dubai and the region."

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will showcase over 3,000 companies in three dedicated industry events this September - GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will run from 8-12 September 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) featuring three dedicated industry events: GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics, and will be held in association with GITEX Shopper, which takes place from the 6-12 September 2007 at the Airport Expo Dubai.