October 7, 2006

26TH EDITION OF GITEX OFFERS KEY ADDITIONAL FEATURE – NEW PLATFORM FOR TELECOM SECTOR

Increased IT spending set to generate more interest for the Region's Premier IT & TELECOMMS Event

GITEX 2006 will once again live up to its international reputation as one of the leading exhibitions in the IT & communications industry, as it plays host to over 3,000 participating companies from more than 60 countries announced organiser Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

The 26th edition of the premier trade event, collocated with the new Telecoms exhibition, GULFCOMMS, is scheduled to be held from 18-22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibition will reflect the latest advancements in the ICT industry including revolutionary products and innovations that will take the world by storm as well as developments in global technology markets.

"We are delighted that GITEX continues to go from strength to strength, consistently providing the region with a global platform in which to do business, exchange ideas and form new alliances. As the IT market strengthens and spending in the Middle East and North Africa markets keeps on rising, we believe our role of a facilitator becomes even more crucial" commented Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC

There are strong indications by tracking the global IT spending growth trends, that the region is primed to spend more with the governments across the region keen to bring in the latest technology. Various government and private sector organisations have been gearing up for the advent of fresh and innovative technologies that are ushered in every year during GITEX.

Latest estimates from international market research firm IDC predict that worldwide end users will spend US$1.2 trillion on information technology in 2006 and IT spending will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% to reach US$1.5 trillion in 2010.

In the region, the UAE and Saudi Arabia account for 77% of the Gulf's current annual IT spend of AED 18.12 billion (US$ 4.94 billion). Industry estimates show that Middle East and North Africa (MENA) IT market is set to grow from US$ 6.9 billion in 2003 to US$ 13.4 billion by 2008.

With this in mind GITEX is now sold out and just some of the key players on board include Microsoft, Oracle, Sony, HP and Dubai Internet City as well as 25 country exhibits with new entries from Portugal, Hungry and the USA.

New for this year, is the collocated event, GULFCOMMS - an exclusive event to focus on the region's burgeoning telecommunications sector. The exhibition, held in the newly built 15,000 sqm Zabeel Hall, aims to bring together some of the world's largest and most innovative companies in the telecommunications sector, including operators and specialists in mobile communications, network development, satellite applications, IP technology and infrastructure solutions.

"The Middle East's telecommunications sector has perhaps the most potential for growth of any market in the world, so there has been strong demand for an industry event which can provide a professional platform for business development for international companies within the Middle East," said added Al Marri.

GULFCOMMS welcomes over 100 major global and regional telecom companies including Alcatel, Avaya, Belagcom, China Potevio, du, Efonica, Etisalat, France Telecom, Gateway Gulf, Inmarsat, JDSU, Juniper, Korea Telecom, Mediaring, Net2phone, Nokia, Nortel, Saudi Telecom, Streamlink, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (UAE) and Thuraya.

Accompanying this new addition are several industry focused events including the Senior Executive Briefing sessions organised by CommsMEA on the 19-20 November and the GVF Communications Forum held from 19-22 November 2006.

The 16th edition of GITEX Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo 2006, undisputed leader in technology-retailing also returns alongside GITEX this year. The exhibition presents the ultimate shopping experience for consumers in the Middle East looking for the latest in IT and digital mobility products and will be held at Airport Expo Dubai from 18-24 November 2006.

Last year Gitex Shopper reported a 36% surge in sales to AED76 million (US$21 million), a 36% increase in on-stand transactions. Nearly 118,000 people visited the show, up 9.25% over the previous year.

For more information, please contact:

Amanda Slater
Dubai World Trade Centre
Tel: +971 4 308-6661
E-mail: amanda.slater@dwtc.com