ITU and Al-Iktissad-Wal-Aamal hold telecom bonanza

It is estimated that for the Arab region to meet the expected demand for telecom services and new technologies, in the next five years, operators in the region would need to invest more than $35 billion.

With this in mind the ITU (International Telecom Union) jointly with the Iktissad-Wal-Aamal Group Lebanon are holding the Arab Telecom and Internet Forum between the 28th-31st of May 2003 in Beirut Lebanon at the Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel.

The forum, which will be held Under the Patronage of His Excellency The President of the Republic of Lebanon General Emile Lahoud is set to bring together more than 500 participants from throughout the Arab world. Experts, Telecom Ministers, CEO's of telecom operators, services providers and experts from all over the region will be attending the forum. The Forum is being hosted by Ministry of Telecommunications in Lebanon, and will address issues of vital importance to the ICT industry. This momentous event marks the first time the ITU collaborates with the private sector to hold its annual meeting.

Moreover, ARABSAT is holding its General Assembly Meeting in conjunction with the Conference. Arab Ministers participating in this Assembly will be taking an active role in the Forum.

Topics of discussion will center around Liberalization of Telecom Markets, current and Future Trends in the Arab Telecom Sector, e-Commerce Benefits Obstacles, Levels of Awareness and Breadth of Service, Future investment strategies in the telecom sector, Role of Arab ITU Sector Members/Private Sector in Telecom Development and ITU Activities, the World Summit on the Information Society WSIS (Geneva 2003) and views of regional telecom players regarding growth strategies.

As of today an array of service providers, and telecom players has signed up as sponsors for The Arab Telecom and Internet Forum. They include big names such as Cisco, Inmarsat, MTC-Kuwait, Jeraisy Saudi Arabia, Tellabs International, Siemens, Alcatel, Zte - Zhongxing Telecom Ltd., Intec, and HP.

Mr. John Chambers CEO of Cisco Systems will be a keynote speaker at the forum. In addition the Forum will also feature top management and expert speakers such as Mr. Rolf Meakin Partner at Price Waterhouse and Coopers, Mrs. Mona Nijm, Chairman of Telecom regulatory Authority in Jordan, Dr. Saad Al Barrak CEO of MTC-Kuwait, Mr. Samer Halawi Regional Director of Inmarsat, and many others.