Tenth edition of CABSAT opens with strong international participation

Following the inauguration the Honourable Minister, accompanied by DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad and other distinguished guests undertook a detailed tour of the exhibition, which runs till February 10th, where they took the time to view the various exhibits on show and speak to the exhibitors who represent a worldwide spectrum of the industry.

'Already the most comprehensive and leading event of its kind in the Middle East region, CABSAT 2004 has broken all sorts of records in size, scope, exhibition profile, exhibitors' presence and quality of visitors attracted,' said Mr. bin Fahad after the tour.

'The show which has been registering an upward trend and the scope of the exhibition has expanded significantly to include key areas of broadcasting, production and telecommunications, to make it a far more representative platform that takes in all aspects of the industry,' Mr. bin Fahad added.

'There has been a marked increase in exhibitor numbers - almost 6 per cent, with an even more considerable increase in overseas representation. Nett space taken up - over 4,800 sq. m., is also significantly greater as are the number of countries taking part at the show,' Mr. bin Fahad stated.

CABSAT is acknowledged in the industry as the premier platform in the burgeoning Middle East market for the latest technologies and business strategies and provides an unmatched avenue for the exploration of new business opportunities. This fact is reflected in the number of launches and presentations planned during the exhibition by leading players in the worldwide and regional industry.

'The growth of the regional technology and media industry has spurred a range of new business opportunities in the broadcast, communications and media technology fields and these developments along with V-SAT, new satellites, digital compression and continued competition among pay TV and free-to-air channels has created a wealth of new business opportunities in the region, Mr. bin Fahad opined.

The show attracts a wide range of quality visitors and trade professionals that come not just from the GCC region but also Egypt. Lebanon, Syria and Iraq who flock to the DWTC to inspect the wares of an extremely diverse group of exhibitors. The DWTC has conducted an extensive marketing communications campaign throughout the region to create increased awareness for the show and the event is backed by far-reaching advertising in the B2B media.

A large hosted buyer delegation comprising over 20 industry professionals from India are also visiting the event to network at the show and conduct business.

CABSAT 2004 will feature group pavilions from China, Korea, Germany, Taiwan and the UK with over over 70 local and 170 overseas exhibitors - a considerable jump from the last edition's figures of 58 local and 143 overseas exhibitors.

Past editions of CABSAT have provided participants with a unique networking opportunity to touch base with trade professionals and forge new links with organisations that can help further the corporate goals of suppliers who specialise in cable, satellite, telecommunications and broadcast equipment and services.

Last year's edition of the event witnessed deals, launches and business galore proving to be an impressive event drawing more than 200 exhibitors and over 4,500 trade visitors from around the globe and particularly from the GCC countries.