GITEX 2003 to be Largest Ever in 23 Year History of the Show

The 23rd edition of GITEX, taking place later this month in Dubai is to be the largest ever, with strong participation from all sectors of the IT industry.

Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Mubarak bin Fahad, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Director General said, "GITEX has once again firmly established its credentials as the Middle East's largest and most important information technology event with increased participation from companies across the world,"

Commenting on the growth of the event, he said, "The show has grown phenomenally from last year with a substantial double-digit increase of 26% in the number of exhibitors, 14% in the number of participating companies, 19% in nett area and 19% in the number of country pavilions," Mr. bin Fahad said.

"GITEX has risen in stature and played an important role towards the all-encompassing vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of converting the emirate into the Silicon Valley of the Middle East," Mr. bin Fahad remarked.

GITEX 2003 will have 19 national pavilions up by 19%, 774 exhibitors up by 26%, 1,703 companies up by 14%, a nett area of 22,754 square metres (up by 19%) all pointing to a significant growth in the size, scope and profile of the event.

There has been a considerable increase in interest among companies with many of the industry's key players well represented, including industry leaders like IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Canon, NEC, Acer, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Sony, Fujitsu, Sanyo, Etisalat, DAFZA, Thuraya and Epson among others securing a strong presence at the show.

"The response from the IT industry has been exceptionally encouraging largely because of the Dubai Government's commitment to make the most of the city's IT potential and attracting the interest of key global players in the technology sector as well as due to GITEX's ability to attract IT professionals from around the region to network at the event," Mr. bin Fahad said.

Last year's event attracted a diverse profile of visitors to the show which included 75% from the Middle East, 15.5% from Asia, Russia and Eastern Europe and 7% from Europe and North America among others. In total almost 65,000 visitors from 109 countries visited the show in 2002.

"We are confident of attracting larger numbers of trade professionals from around the region this year and this is one of the major draw for exhibitors to attend GITEX in order to meet and interact with IT professionals, including software developers and programmers, hardware and software engineers, IT experts, system analysts, traders and others who have an avid interest in keeping track of new hi-tech developments in the IT world," remarked Mr. bin Fahad.

He also thanked the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for their extensive efforts in globalising GITEX through their international network of offices.

DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem addressed the media and stated: "DTCM has been actively involved in promoting Dubai as the IT hub of the region and have worked with organizers of major events including the DWTC in maximizing the reach of GITEX worldwide through our offices."

"GITEX is another landmark example of the cooperation between public sector organizations in Dubai," Mr. bin Sulayem added. The DTCM has organized the Dubai visit of over 15 senior journalists representing leading IT publications from Germany (PC Direkt), France (Le Point), Hong Kong (PC Market and Hi-Tech Weekly), India (Hindustan Times & Global Features), Russia (PC Week and CRN), Switzerland (Computer World), South Africa (Business Day and Computing SA), Japan (Impress), the UK (IT Week and Computing Magazine) and Italy (Alpha / II Sole 24 ore and La Republica).

Mr. bin Sulayem said that the DTCM also partnered with the DWTC for implementing an international broadcast strategy to promote the exhibition business more assertively around the world to generate enhanced coverage of the forthcoming GITEX 2003.

DTCM's Visitors Information Bureaus (VIBs) are also providing extensive information about GITEX and assistance to inquiring firms as well as responding to individual business inquiries about the show as well as distribution brochures.

Commenting on the developments that have taken place at the venue since last year, DWTC General Manager Exhibitions, Leasing and Property, Abdulla T. Qassem remarked, "The venue has transformed radically since last year's event and now offers an abundance of facilities including a brand new concourse linking all the exhibition halls, additional parking facilities, E-Access gates and a new registration system for easy access to the venue, mobile exhibition guide for better navigation at the event, spacious new media centre fully equipped with latest in communications tools and a series of technical seminars,"

Ignace Bauwens, General Manager of Accor Properties (Novotel and Ibis) expressed his pleasure at partnering with DWTC for GITEX and said: "Accor is proud to be associated with GITEX this year and we are hosting the international media covering the event by providing them with free accommodation. This is an opportunity for us to showcase the expertise of the Accor Hotels World Trade Centre's team as well as the international standard accommodation that we offer at competitive prices to both the business and leisure travellers."

Mr. Bauwens remarked that both properties the 412-room Novotel and 210-room Ibis were fully booked during GITEX.