Strong presence of Quebec IT companies at Gitex 2001

Ten companies, known for their technological creativity and expertise will present for the first time in the UAE and to the GITEX visitors, their latest innovation in various fields of the IT sector.

"With over $600 million invested annually in high-potential market niches, Quebec's IT sector is booming and the technological know-how of its companies is acknowledged around the world," said Mrs. Marois. She is expected to announce various strategic alliances with Dubai partners, major contracts and settlement of companies in the region.

The IT industry in Quebec is widely diversified, and encompasses telecommunications, computer technology, multimedia, electronic component manufacturing, satellite communications, fibre optic networks and data transmission. Home of the first digital telephone switching system in the world, developed by Bell-Northern Research in 1976, Quebec is recognized for its creativity and innovative spirit and has enjoyed outstanding growth in the last decade. The multimedia and Internet sector is young, but its focus is well defined. In a little over five years, more than 600 firms totaling 4,300 employees have set up operations in Quebec.

Quebec is well on the way to developing unequalled in-depth expertise in technology convergence, systems integration, person-machine interfaces, voice recognition, multilingualism, language industries, imaging technology and spatial information. It is also recognized worldwide for the quality of its electronic components, which includes manufacturing of active components (semi-conductors) as well as components like PCB hybrid circuit and the assembly of printed circuit boards.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Quebec has been supporting companies from the new technologies industry for the past three years at GITEX, in partnership with FIAM (International Federation of Multimedia Associations) (www.fiam.org) and Alis Technologies (www.alis.com). They will promote business development and contacts between Quebec and the Middle East, and present the following companies:

Bluesponge offers advanced webvideo technologies and strategies, which enable organisations to leverage the power of the web platform as an audiovisual medium for a fraction of the cost.

Electroline Equipment Inc., which services the cable telecommunications marketplace, offers four families of products, which include broadband addressable control systems, return path technology solutions, drop amplifiers, and passive CATV devices.

Fun Key Studios, a Canadian corporation specialising in live action adventure attractions designs, manufactures and operates themed interactive entertainment centres called Fun Key Towns comprising its own proprietary hardware/software.

GSI Technologies researches and develops software and proprietary equipment for urban out-of-home communications aimed at broadcasting in public areas, and in multimedia production of editorial and advertising contents.

Hyperchip which is changing the telecom landscape with a carrier-class router that offers unprecedented performance and operating advantages, will be offering the PBR-1280 which is effective for applications ranging from gigabits to petabits per second and uses a revolutionary architecture based on massively parallel semi-conductors, capable of delivering unmatched scalability.

NSI Communications Inc., which is active in the satellite telecommunications market, will offer the proprietary VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) network solutions through its Satcom Systems division.

Purkinje Inc., a leading provider of patient-centred software solutions for healthcare organisations, will present its flagship product Dossier. This expert documentation tool runs on desktop, portable and pen-based computers. It allows doctors and physicians as well as nurses to easily produce clinical notes and documents through a medical practice-inspired interface.

TravelNet Technologies Inc., home of Data Valet, the Internet solution for simplified network mobility; builds innovative web-based solutions for today's forward-thinking businesses. By leveraging state-of-the-art Internet technology, and its relationships with key strategic partners, TravelNet Technologies supplies its customers with cutting-edge Internet-based services that increase productivity.