The ArabNet Digital Showcase is specifically developed for young digital companies that already have a strong product or service offering and traction in their home markets. The Showcase comes as part of one of the highlights of the ArabNet Digital Summit being held in Dubai at the Atlantis, The Palm from the 24th-26th June. The Showcase will provide these fast growing enterprises the opportunity to present their businesses, highlight on their latest updates, and conduct one-on-one networking sessions with media buyers and players, marketing managers, telecom operators, banks and payment institutions, and otherstrategic partners and clients.
The ArabNet Digital Showcase will also offer participating businesses the chance to meet highly influential investors who will help them take their business to the next stage of development. The past few years have witnessed an increased influx of investments in technology in the Middle East, especially UAE.
“ArabNet hopes to engage the highest number of enterprises possible within the Digital Showcase,” stated Christidis.
A recent report from Sindibad Business showed that the total amount of investment in internet and technology in UAE for the years 2011 and 2012 exceeded $74 million, which is more than the total investment flow in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco combined.
The Arab digital generation, a tech-savvy demographic born between 1977 and 1997, accounts for 40% of the MENA population and is distinguishing itself economically, socially, and politically. These young people’s thirst for going digital is reflected by the 60% increase in smartphone penetration in the GCC. Conforming to this growing appetite for technology, most companies in the region now allocate 22% of their annual marketing budget on digital, and 58% of companies are increasing their digital marketing budget this year.
