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Organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) announced that participation in GITEX from Western Europe has registered a substantial increase over last year with UK companies in the lead, followed by German and French ICT firms.
The 25th edition of GITEX, considered to be among the top global IT events, will be open for business from September 25 to 29, 2005 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Increased participation of companies from Western Europe demonstrates worldwide recognition of the importance multinationals place on GITEX. This has resulted in rising demand for floor space,” said DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri.
A record 78 UK companies have registered so far for GITEX 2005, the biggest participation to date from that country. Last year, the UK pavilion was the biggest-ever at GITEX.
So far 27 German firms and 13 French companies have also confirmed their participation. Besides this, seven companies from Spain, four each from Belgium, Italy and Netherlands, two each from Austria and Norway and one from Switzerland have signed up.
According to IDC figures, IT services spending in Western Europe is forecast to total AED 509 billion (US$138.7 billion) during 2005. While a massive share of 37% of this will go for Implementation, 27% will go for Maintenance and Support, Operations will have 21% share, Planning 9% and Training and Education will have around 6%, according to IDC.
“The interest shown by these companies for GITEX once again underlines the international status of Dubai as a major hub for business and commerce. While geographical advantage is just one reason, other factors include a most modern infrastructure and an ideal networking venue. This is why industry professionals, including those from IT sector, choose Dubai to conduct their business,” said Mr. Al Marri.
GITEX 2005 will showcase an entire range of IT related products and services including IT equipment and systems, computer components and peripherals, storage media, printers, copiers and pre-print systems, consumer electronics and home automation, office automation, point-of-sale systems, embedded computer technology, security systems, power supplies for information and communication systems and biometric identification systems.
The show also attracts a large number of exhibitors from telecommunications, wireless and networks, software and services and banking technology and financial services.
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