GITEX 2005, globally recognised as one of the largest information technology exhibitions, is all set to stimulate growth in I.T. spending in the MEA region in an increasingly tech-conscious environment across various industry segments, organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) announced.
“The Middle East and Africa region (MEA) alone saw I.T. spending register an increase of 2.1% to touch AED 79 billion (US$21.53 billion) in 2004,” said DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri. He pointed out that major names in the manufacturing and services sectors will focus on Dubai and GITEX 2005 during the last week of September for customised solutions in order to facilitate smooth running of their businesses.
The show, in its 25th edition, will be held from September 25 to 29, 2005 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
GCC countries alone are projected to spend around AED 18.12 billion (nearly US$5 billion) this year. Out of this, Saudi Arabia is expected to have a 46.8% share and the UAE 30.4% with the remaining GCC members’ shares in single digits.
IDC predicts MEA region’s spending on IT hardware to touch AED 74 billion (US$20.14 billion) by 2009 as the overall MEA IT market grows at a combined annual growth rate of 11% to become 70% larger than in 2002.
GITEX 2005 will offer a whole range of add on storage, peripherals, TWS, network equipment, server hardware and PC hardware in the hardware section housed in Halls 1-4, 4a and 5a. The packaged software section will have applications, application development and deployment and system infrastructure software. The major players in this sector which will have more than 650 exhibitors include Samsung, Canon, HP, Panasonic, Epson, Acer and Toshiba to name a few.
With a perceptible increase expected in the number of exhibitors and trade visitors from most of the countries this year, GITEX 2005 will give the necessary thrust in moving the trade towards major deals for up-market and latest technology equipment, Mr Al Marri pointed out.
GITEX 2004 welcomed over 939 exhibitors representing more than 2,428 companies from 41 countries. The record-breaking exhibition took up all the available halls at the DWTC including a tented enclosure and attracted 116,346 visitors.
