kuwaiti ict industry leverages gitex technology week to extend global reach
Kuwaiti Companies Prepare to Showcase Significant ICT Developments
to Key International Players
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Kuwait’s ICT industry is set to gather at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK this September to showcase the impressive strides the country has made in major ICT sectors, whilst strengthening relationships with key customers and partners.
The GCC nation, along with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, boasts one of the fastest-growing ICT markets in the region. Significant technology infrastructure investment has facilitated progress, resulting in advancements within the country’s growing ICT industry.
This year’s show will provide a key platform to display the latest ICT products and services coming out of Kuwait, with the show’s new sector-focused format and high-level GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference programme providing a value-added experience for Kuwaiti companies looking to access the global market and attract inward investment.
“Kuwait is an increasingly competitive ICT market that holds major growth potential. GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will provide an important platform to help link investors with opportunities in the Kuwaiti market by highlighting key growth areas,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK.
The Kuwaiti government’s diversification plan to channel oil revenues across non-oil sectors is increasingly being directed towards the development of the ICT industry, as major communication systems and IT networks are being enhanced to drive the advancement of the Kuwaiti economy.
Leading the regional wave of privatization and liberalisation within the telecom industry, the Kuwaiti government is also welcoming bids from local and foreign firms to introduce a third mobile operator in the country – an encouraging sign for global telecom operators that marks a new era of competition.
This move is off the heels of another major foreign investment earlier this year as Qatari telecom Qtel acquired a majority stake in leading Kuwaiti mobile operator Wataniya, a deal valued at US$3.7 billion.
As the fourth most penetrated telecom market in the Middle East, Kuwait has one the highest revenues per customer in the region, which has prompted major interest from regional and international looking to tap into this lucrative and robust market.
Major initiatives including the recently opened Microsoft-led innovation centre are also an encouraging sign of progress, as education is needed to ensure continued growth and fuel technological innovation. The new centre will promote collaboration between the education and private sectors and nurture critical skills needed to advance the Kuwaiti IT industry.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with governments like Kuwait that are using information technology to foster a knowledge-based economy – providing new jobs and new opportunities for its citizens,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at a recent press conference announcing the global software leader’s investment in Kuwait.
Kuwaiti companies participating in this year’s show including Hummingbird Middle East, Axis Computer Solutions, Neshami, and AFiT, will be highlighting their role within the country’s ICT sector, as the nation is increasingly looking to leverage its IT industry in a bid to create a more knowledge-based economy that can compete successfully in the global marketplace.
“We are looking forward to GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK to effectively tap into regional opportunities and further demonstrate AFiT’s commitment to offer e-business innovation to the global IT market. The exhibition will also provide a beneficial platform to help enterprise clients and to drive new solutions and trends,” said Mr. Haitham Saleh Al-Faris, Chairman and CEO, AFiT.
According to Oxford Business Group, Kuwait is currently the third largest computer market in the region, with a high penetration of consumer technology and ambitious plans for digital integration. As a result, major office technology and consumer electronics brands attending GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK are keen to connect with Kuwaiti companies operating in this space.
Kuwaiti companies can also benefit from GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference, which includes an important industry keynote presentation from conference platinum sponsor IBM, insightful seminars, conferences and networking sessions for the ICT industry to network and exchange ideas. Visitors from Kuwait can also look forward to a host of cutting-edge displays and product launches from some of the biggest brand names in the global ICT industry.
GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will run from 8-12 September 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) featuring three dedicated industry events: GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics, and will be held in association with GITEX Shopper, which takes place from the 6-12 September 2007 at the Airport Expo Dubai.
