Bahrain companies gear up for Gitex 2012

Gitex 2012 will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14th to 18th October and is one of the largest technology exhibitions in the world with over 3,500 exhibitors and visitors across the five day exhibition likely to exceed 150,000 from more than 140 different countries.

The Bahrain Pavilion will create a 'single address' for the 33 Bahraini companies who have signed up for Gitex 2012 to come together with delegations from the eGA and The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) under one roof to present Bahrain's collective skills and capabilities in the technology sector to the wider global audience.

Representatives of the 20 companies who attended the meeting were first addressed by Mr Ubaydli Ubaydli, Chairman of The Bahrain ICT Suppliers' Trade Association (BISTA), Co-Organiser of The Bahrain Pavilion. His key message was that ".......whilst Gitex 2012 will obviously be an opportunity for companies to market themselves and their own products and services, there is also the wider picture of the companies combining together to market Bahrain as a whole and the skills and potential that Bahrain has to offer the regional and international market-places."

Mr Ubaydli continued that he was ".....excited by the quality of the Bahrain companies that are going to this year's exhibition" and felt that they have "....strong individual and collective messages for Pavilion visitors and will no doubt work together to present a good synergistic approach across the whole sector."

The meeting was then handed over to Mr Ahmed Al Hujairy, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Future Business, the organisers and managers of The Bahrain Pavilion, to brief the companies on all aspects of the Gitex 2012 exhibition and the operation of The Bahrain Pavilion. Mr Al Hujairy commented that "In addition to providing a common focal point for the Bahrain exhibitors, The Bahrain Pavilion also offers a cost effective exhibition solution to the companies with the sharing of common marketing costs and support services."

Mr Al Hujairy also made specific reference to the marketing opportunities that are on offer to exhibiting companies through the Gitex 2012 organiser sand in particular the ability to 'connect online' with other exhibitors to set up meetings during Gitex 2012 and to promote company products and activities to the whole Gitex 2012 exhibitor database.

He urged companies to make use of these opportunities as much as possible as "......these are the channels that will connect companies with the wider market and help to exploit the undoubted business potential that we have here in Bahrain."

The meeting was successful and greatly assisted all the exhibitors in planning for a successful Gitex 2012. As Mr Nirmit Gang from Kanoo Consulting Services commented, "The meeting organized by GFB at the wonderful boardroom of The e-Governance Authority was testament to the commitment towards making Gitex 2012 a success for all the participants from Bahrain. Mr. AlHujairy explained all the important points to the participating companies and answered any queries raised regarding the exhibition. This was a great initiative to bring all the participants under one roof and clear up any doubts, so that there are no surprises at the event."

The strategic partners of The Bahrain Pavilion at Gitex 2012 are The Kingdom of Bahrain e-Government Agency, The Bahrain Economic Development Board, Tamkeen and The Bahrain Internet Society, with AlAyam as the Pavilion's Media Partner.

Mr Obaydli further commented that "......Tamkeen provides a significant level of assistance, incentive and support to Bahraini companies wanting to exhibit at events like Gitex 2012 by subsidizing 80% of a company's exhibition stand costs and certain logistic expenses under The Tarweej Scheme", a scheme that, in Mr Obaydli's opinion, ".....has undoubtedly led to a greater presence, exposure and awareness for Bahrain and Bahraini companies in the international market-place."