GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK opens today

The 27th edition of the show, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, will officially open today welcoming thousands of visitors and international and regional companies over the next five days.

Doors will open at 1:00pm at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), where visitors will be able to get their first glimpse of the innovative onsite campaigns being deployed by some of the biggest brands in the ICT industry.

Exhibitors will be ramping up their efforts to ensure the spotlight shines on them as the sold-out show is set to be even bigger than last year's record-breaking event in terms of space utilization, providing an essential hub for key ICT suppliers and decision-makers to network in one dedicated area.

Kicking-off the start of a power-packed week is a technology keynote address by top worldwide IBM executive Mr. Al Zollar, as he addresses senior executives with a speech on 'Innovation that Matters'.

New initiatives such as the GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference, will see leading speakers from across the region and beyond including Dr Otto Schily, Member of German Parliament, Optimiza; Mr. Justin Doo, MD, Trend Micro MEA; Mr. Hari Padmanabhan, CEO, 3I Infotech Middle East; Mr Mohammed Shah, CTO, KEC Saudi Arabia; Mr. Hatem Al Sibai, CIO, Al Ghurair Group; Mr. Bob Kalka, Global Security Enablement Manager Tivoli Software, IBM Software Group; and Mr. Ahmad Al Mulla, CIO, DUBAL, amongst others.

Other key highlights include the Priority Club and Gadget Glam consumer showcase, both of which have also received overwhelming interest and are set to significantly enhance this year's show.

"The high-calibre show enhancements introduced this year - combined with a line-up of world-class technological innovations - ensure that participants will not be disappointed as GITEX launches its most innovative and industry-focused event ever,"

said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.

World technology leaders including Acer, CA, Cisco, Cognos, DIC, du, etisalat, HP, IBM, i-Mate, Intel, Oracle, Panasonic, Samsung, SAP, Sun Microsystems, Sony, TRA and Trend Micro as they announce important strategic developments and host major product launches during the event. Visitors can also see 28 national pavilions, with first time official representations from Italy and Bulgaria. Major country pavilions from across the region include Egypt with 28 companies and Lebanon welcoming 28 companies.

Free parking will be available opposite Za'beel Hall and the Novotel Hotel and paid parking will be offered at the venue's multi-storey car park and in front of the main halls. In addition, shuttle buses to and from the venue will also be provided, with stops at the airport, major hotels and city centre locations.

Trade and business professionals can register onsite and purchase a one-day pass for 40 AED or a five-day pass for 100 AED on-site upon presentation of a valid business card. Admission includes access to all events including GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS, Consumer Electronics, and the Global Conference.

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK is open from 8 September 1pm - 7pm, 9-11 September from 10am - 7pm, and 12 September from 10am - 5pm at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The exhibition will feature 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.