IDC Announces Partnership With GITEX Technology Week 2017

International Data Corporation (IDC) will participate as a Supporting Partner in the 37th annual edition of GITEX Technology Week at, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre on October 8‒12. The global ICT research and consultancy services firm will be based at Stand A5-8 in Hall 5 and will feature prominently throughout the event, with senior IDC analysts participating as speakers, moderators, and panelists in various technology- and industry-themed sessions.

IDC's latest forecast shows that IT spending in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is set to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8% over the coming years to total $106 billion in 2021. Enterprises will account for close to 60% of that figure, with the telecommunications, finance, government, and manufacturing sectors continuing to be the biggest spenders. But it is healthcare (CAGR of 6.5%) that will see the fastest growth over the 2016–2021 period, followed by utilities (6.3%) and transportation (6.0%).

With digital transformation (DX) increasingly shaping the investment decisions of organizations across the region, mobility initiatives will account for the largest chunk of spending in 2021 at $49.7 billion. The quest for DX will drive investments in other innovation-accelerating technologies too, with the internet of things ($16.3 billion), augmented and virtual reality ($5.9 billion), and big data analytics ($4.6 billion) all set to be key areas of investment in 2021.

"While many use the term digital transformation, synonymously with going digital or simply using digital solutions, IDC believes that it goes way beyond that," says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC's group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. "DX is not limited to IT. It is about much more than bringing in solutions to streamline or automate processes; it is about the transformation of business. Ultimately, DX involves leveraging technology to create alternative customer experiences and open new revenue streams, while using data to drive competitive advantage. In reality, DX represents synergies between IT and business."

To this end, IDC has been working closely with some of the GCC's most influential ICT development authorities in recent years, providing expert guidance on spurring the adoption of innovative information and communication technologies across the region. These authorities include the likes of the ICT Fund in the UAE, the Communications and Information Technology Commission in Saudi Arabia, and the Central Agency of Information Technology in Kuwait.

Most recently, IDC published an exhaustive analysis of Saudi Arabia's National Transformation Plan and its anticipated impact on the kingdom's economy and broader society. The firm is now working with Yesser, Saudi Arabia's egovernment program, on a follow-up edition that will serve to further shape ICT policy and strategy within the kingdom.

IDC provides end-to-end advisory services for the entire ICT ecosystem, equipping vendors, end users, government entities, and key decision makers with all the tools they need to design, develop, and execute comprehensive investment programs that align perfectly with their go-to-market strategies. A selection of the firm's senior analysts will be present throughout GITEX Technology Week to discuss the market's latest developments and offer strategic guidance on moving to the next stage of digital transformation.

For more information and to arrange an exclusive one-to-one meeting with an IDC analyst, please contact Sheila Manek at [email protected] or on +971 4 446 3154.