IT spend in Iraq set to reach $1.1bn in 2008

With aims of leveraging the tremendous potential within this untapped market, NETGEAR, a worldwide provider of technologically advanced and branded networking products, has partnered with Iraqi distributor Al-Naba'a Network Solutions to push its state-of-the-art connectivity products and solutions to support the eGovernment and eCommerce initiatives of government departments as well as the investments of private enterprises in Iraq.

Fuelled by the government's ambitious plans to introduce technology-driven online services and the burgeoning market for IT consultancy, the demand for IT solutions from Iraqi institutions and the private sector presents an exceptional opportunity for suppliers of all kinds of hardware, software and associated services. In addition, the Iraqi Internet services market promises to be one of the fastest growing segments in the country's potential-laden IT landscape. By fully leveraging the booming market, Al Nabaa seeks to increase its revenues, which is currently at $4.2m to $8m by 2008, through its extensive channel breadth, which currently comprises of over 70 local value added resellers.

"Our association with knowledgeable and experienced distributors has been contributing greatly to our accomplishments as a leader in the regional market," said Omar Lutfi Hussain, Corporate Account Manager, NETGEAR Middle East.

"We are confident that our strategic partnership with Al-Naba'a will raise the level of awareness for our products among small and medium corporations in Iraq, thereby providing us with a competitive edge to fully leverage the current uptrend in this lucrative market. We have outlined an extensive plan to provide sufficient support for Al Naba'a with aims of better equipping them in the important role, which they will be playing in our foray into the Iraq market. Al Naba'a will also avail of the rewards, which we provide to our partner distributors through the 'NETGEAR Channel Partner Program'."

Al-Naba'a Network Solutions LLC (a part of the Al-Naba'a Group) was established in July 2005 in Baghdad, and is currently a leading name in the network solutions business in Iraq as a result of its excellent management services and highly trained employees. The distributor has been able to capture a respectable market share in the Iraqi's networking market by offering a wide array of global brands such as Acer, Hewlett Packard, Cisco, IBM, Trendnet, iDirect VSAT Systems and Dintek. Having established a strong relationship with government institutions in Iraq such as the Ministry of Education, in addition to the finance, interior and oil departments, the leading IT company has access to a wide range of consumer networks, which is beneficial for brands that are seeking to enter the market. Al-Naba'a joins NETGEAR's extensive roster of value added partners, which includes Matrix Computer System (MCS) in Qatar, Business International in Bahrain and Teledata in Lebanon amongst others.

"This partnership with NETGEAR presents an exciting new challenge for us, and we are definitely looking forward to bringing their top-of-the-line products closer to end-users, especially government agencies and private enterprises. Our strategy is to maximise our present network of highly trained agents and our strong relationship with relevant government agencies to drive brand awareness for NETGEAR's products. We also commend their efforts in providing adequate training to our technicians in terms of delivering 24/7 technical support services for customers in Iraq," concluded Mansour Flamarz, CEO, Al-Naba'a Group.