Information Technology (IT) spending in the Middle East region will top $4.6 billion in the year 2002, with Saudi Arabia currently representing over 40 percent of that market, according to ITP, organizer of a new Gitex edition that will target for the first time this year the Saudi IT industry.
The growth rate in the areas of communications, Internet applications, POS hardware and mobile computing is now projected at 20 percent annually. While applications software is the chief growth segment, the Saudi market for computers, peripherals, software and IT consultancy continues to be the largest in the Middle East totaling a colossal $800 million in annual sales.
The Kingdom is also currently implementing a five-year initiative, launched in September 2000, to equip over 21,000 schools with Personal Computer (PC) equipment, networks and peripherals. The program is expected to expand the user base, as well as the number of Internet users, further fuelling the on-going $1.5 billion market boom.
The Gitex Reseller Channel Forum will be held alongside Gitex Saudi 2002. Created to enhance the Information Technology (IT) trade opportunities at Gitex Saudi, the Channel Forum will be held from April 22 to 25, 2002. It offers a platform for channel personnel, professionals and vendors to meet.
The Forum is of particular interest to anyone seeking new or additional Channel Partners in Saudi and throughout the Middle East, International IT vendors seeking to expand or strengthen channel ties through training and education programs in addition to Arabic software developers and web designers seeking business partners in Saudi, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Levant markets.
It is expected to be attended by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Corporate Solution Providers, PC Assemblers, System Integrators as well as IT vendors and distributors. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
