Consumer electronics companies to demonstrate market strength and region's growth potential at Gitex

Some of the most influential companies in the consumer electronics market including Genius, Ford, Panasonic, Promate, Sanyo, Seagate have committed to participate at this year's event, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18-22 October 2009.

In 2008, the UAE GDP grew 27.4 % to Dhs929.4bn up from Dhs729.7bn in 2007. The jump in the GDP last year boosted the UAE's per capita income to its highest ever level of around Dhs197,000 according to the Ministry of Economy.

With many parts of the world experiencing a slow down in consumer spending, leading manufacturers are looking to strengthen their market position within the Middle East - an area of the world which has remained relatively buoyant during the optimistic times.

"Consumer sentiment across the region remains strong, especially in the UAE, where tech-savvy consumers are some of the biggest spenders of electronics products in the world,"

said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event.

"Globally, companies are looking for new and innovative ways to raise consumer confidence. Gitex allows market leaders the single most important face-to-face marketing channel in the year to test their product strategies and secure early market share for new launches with the region's most savvy technology adopters."

The Consumer Electronics section is one of the most popular with trade visitors to Gitex Technology Week which reflects the latest green products and innovations, as well as the newest and coolest gadgets of the future. Consumer Electronics includes many products from home entertainment, through to IT components, and gaming.

With technology evolving so fast, it's sometimes hard to keep track, let alone visualise and understand how it can be integrated into the home or office environment. To address the challenges of our rapidly changing techno-society, Gitex Technology Week is proud to present a complete re-creation of both a Smart Home and Smart Office environment that will allow people to interact, visualise and experience first hand how technology is shaping our lives on a social and professional level.

In addition, Ford will return to the event as the Official Gitex Technology Week Car, offering visitors the opportunity to see first hand the latest innovations hitting the car industry.

"Panasonic is a market leader in high definition products and will showcase it living in high definition concept at Gitex," said Anthony Peter, Associate Director and Group General Manager Direct Consumer Communication and Customer Care, Panasonic.

As well as the Consumer Electronics section, Gitex Technology Week will offer a focused environment with industry specific sectors including Gitex Business Solutions, and Gulfcomms. In addition, the Middle East International Banking, Financial Technology and Services Exhibition, MEFX, will run alongside Gitex Technology Week to provide all-encompassing exposure to business opportunities throughout the region.

Now in its 29th year, Gitex Technology Week has become a beacon for the information technology and communications sectors in the Middle East, and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world. Decision makers and buyers will seek to use the event to improve the value proposition of their offerings while enhancing the cost efficiency of their operations.

The Gitex Technology Week Global Conference programme entitled 'Defining the value of IT in a challenging economy'' has been expanded again this year to include an impressive 40 tracks.

Topics include Leveraging Web 2.0 in the Enterprise and Integrating Consumer Technologies at Work These forums, plus many more will feature leading international industry personalities who will engage and empower the Gitex community with new intelligence and information to more effectively adapt and manage their businesses as we enter a new era of economic dynamics.

Also returning will be an extended Gitex Majlis, an executive business programme for CEO's and senior businesspeople. The networking forum offers members executive lounge and preferred priority seating at seminars, workshops and keynotes as well as an array of other benefits to ensure their time at the event is productive.

Gitex Technology Week, 18-22 October is open to trade and business professionals only from 10am - 7pm and takes place at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Consumer Electronics section only of the exhibition will be open to the general public on the 23 October. Entrance is free.