November 18, 2006

HH SHEIKH MOHAMMED INAUGURATES GITEX & GULFCOMMS 2006

1,347 EXHIBITORS FROM 76 COUNTRIES TAKE PART IN REGION’S BIGGEST ICT EVENT
Inaugural GULFCOMMS plays host to 125 direct exhibitors

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated GITEX & GULFCOMMS 2006 today as leading international IT companies lined up to unveil their latest products and technologies at one of the worlds largest ICT event’s.

The 26th edition of the event has recorded spectacular double-digit growth across the entire spectrum of show parameters, from space expansion and increased exhibitors to larger country representation. GITEX and GULFCOMMS will be held till 22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) with 33% growth, occupying 62,000 square meters in 13 halls
“Building on its remarkable and successful performance every year, GITEX once again affirmed its position as a world-class gateway to this dynamic region that is enjoying tremendous growth,” said DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Al Marri”.

The event is expected to attract more than 130,000 trade visitors and industry professionals.

GITEX 2006 features some of the regions most anticipated launches such as the Launch of Office, Vista and Exchange campaign (LOVE) by industry giant Microsoft, two new Pocket PC-based PDAs by i-mate and internet access kit provider US Robotics will use the event to display its new range of wireless and wired product offerings.

The inaugural GULFCOMMS, running concurrently with GITEX 2006, has some of the world’s most powerful telecoms giants such as TRA, etisalat, du, Nokia, Orange, Thuraya, Alcatel, Belgacom and Korea Telecom amongst other big names. These industry leaders will bring some of the world’s most innovative and awe-inspiring products and technologies in mobile communications, network development, satellite applications, IP technology and infrastructure solutions.

Industry professionals to the exhibition can also take advantage of the GVF Communications Forum, a series of free industry-led updates on key issues including the pure-play satellite services, selling of hybrid connectivity and building wireless infrastructure.

With ICT spending in the Middle East continuing to rise, GITEX & GULFCOMMS 2006 is ideally placed to provide the global IT and telecoms industry with a targeted regional platform to network, meet new customers and forge mutli-million dollar deals.


TRAFFIC INFO
In order to ensure smooth traffic flow around the DICEC, DWTC will be running a shuttle service to and from 34 hotels across the city as well as the Dubai Internet City. These services will ply in the DICEC in the morning and afternoon and will depart from the DICEC back to these hotels in the evening. This will complement the services by Dubai Transport Corporation’s fleet of taxis. Paid and free parking is available at DICEC and shuttle buses will ply between the car parks and exhibition halls.

ADMISSION POLICY
GITEX and GULFCOMMS are open to Trade and Business Visitors only. Admission: One Day Ticket: 30 AED and Five Day Ticket: 80 AED. Persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted entry. University students must be accompanied by faculty members and will be permitted entry during the 20-22 November ONLY.

For more information, please contact:
Amanda Slater Dubai World Trade Centre Tel: (+9714) 308 6661 E-mail: amanda.slater@dwtc.com	BIZ COM – For PRoactive Communications P.O. Box 48889, Dubai - UAE Tel: +971 4 332-0888 Email: info@bizcom.ae