His Highness Sheikh Ahmed to inaugurate 17th International Electronics Forum in Dubai

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed, the event will include his keynote address, highlighting the importance of the forum as a proven business catalyst that is being held in the Middle East for the first time.

More than 120 decision makers from the world's largest technology companies will converge in Dubai to analyze current evolutionary trends in the global electronics industry and define future directions at the three-day forum that will consolidate Dubai's status as a hub for high tech industries.

Specifically designed to foster networking opportunities across a broad pool of disciplines in a condensed, value-added period, the forum will harness the collective global insight of experienced industry executives, including specialists in designing, production, investment, strategic planning, marketing, business development, distribution, finance, and education.

Among the industry leaders, JJ (Junshi) Yamaguchi, Executive Vice President of NEC Electronics, the multibillion-dollar international manufacturer of computer, communications, and semiconductor products, will highlight the future of digital technology and its impact on the quality of life in a society that is getting increasingly 'wired'. JJ will also illustrate NEC's contribution towards these ubiquitous societies through his company's technological innovations.

Theo Classen, Executive Vice President of Business Development, NXP Semiconductors, one of the top 10 semiconductor and chip makers in the world, will explore the semiconductor industry's current market climate and identify the challenges confronting smaller players in the race for growth and market share. Classen will also share how NXP has gained ground as a leading player, with three acquisitions and three joint ventures within just 18 months.

Malcolm Penn, Founder and CEO of Future Horizons, the company responsible for establishing the annual IEF, will present a speech on the company's 40 year experience in the semiconductor industry. He will also offer his personal outlook on future market trends.

Against a backdrop of the extreme uncertainty indicated so far in 2008, following a three-year negative financial growth that has caused many industry watchers to slash their yearly forecasts, Penn will provide insights on how the sector is more than capable of recovering and moving forward.

In addition, several other key note speeches will be delivered on varying topics covering vital issues. Waguih Ishak, Division Vice President of Corning, will focus on recent development in optoelectronics, while Petri Liuha, Laboratory Director - Computation Structures at the Nokia Research Centre, will shed light on the open platforms for rich applications in mobile devices.

A wholly-owned entity of the Government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for semiconductors, microelectronics and other electronics-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and R&D divisions in Dubai.