DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International information and communication technology (ICT) companies are in great anticipation of this year’s GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK to capitalise on the Middle East’s growing IT market, which remains one of the largest in the world.

Thousands of technology companies from around the globe will attend GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, to be held on 18 - 22 October 2009 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), all of whom are looking to strategically position themselves in the Middle East as sentiment improves in the global economy.

The research house, International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that the Middle East IT market will see an increase of approximately 8 percent in 2009, one of the highest in the world. Another recent report by IDC also stated that spend on IT in the UAE alone would reach USD 2.3 billion in 2012, with a continuous annual growth of 23.9 percent, due to the country’s strong economy, a maturing IT market, and increased foreign investment.

“GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK has become one of the world’s top three ICT exhibitions, having serviced the dynamic Middle East market for the past 29 years,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

“This year the show has risen to be the pivotal forum in rallying industry leaders and government bodies from around the world to come together to further boost market confidence and exchange on opportunities that will present themselves in the coming months and years.”

One of the most influential personalities in the ICT industry, Steven Guggenheimer, Corporate OEM Vice President, Microsoft Corporation, will be delivering the highly-anticipated keynote address on Sunday 18 October 2009. Speaking on the ‘Windows Experience’, Mr. Guggenheimer will be addressing senior executives from the region on Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7.

“Over the past several years, we have worked closely with our industry partners on the development of Windows 7,” said Guggenheimer. “We are excited for its general availability to consumers and all of the new opportunities we believe it provides for our partners and our customers.”

Technology fans in the Middle East will be treated to an exclusive preview of Windows 7 a week prior to the global launch of the software.

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2009 marks the return of many industry leaders including Aastra, Avaya, Brother, Cisco, Dell, du, Dubai Internet City (DIC), Etisalat, NEC Philips, Oracle, Panasonic, Pro Technology, Sanyo, Symantec, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Thuraya and Verbatim.

More than 3,000 companies from 65 countries will be represented at this year’s show, which will span 72,000 square metres.

Hundreds of new companies from across the world are leveraging on GITEX for increased market share including Hitachi, Honeywell, Monster Cable, the UAE Ministry of Economy, Route ME Canada, Vodafone Essar, and Yahoo! Maktoob on the Dubai Internet City stand, while Brazil and South Africa will have their first ever national pavilions at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK. First time representation from Belarus, Latvia, Norway and Portugal will also be present.

GITEX will also be the first exhibition to utilise the new Sheikh Saeed Halls at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will host the state-of-the art Consumer Electronics section this year. The GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference has moved to accommodate an extended programme due to an increased demand for knowledge exchange from the industry.

“The increased space at the venue allows the event to grow and extend its content offerings to create more forums for knowledge sharing and exchange, a strategy that was previously not possible. This year, we are able to expand the GITEX Global Conference to over 40 sessions. The theme of ‘Defining the Value of IT in a Challenging Economy’ has received tremendous interest from the industry,” added Almarri.

The easy accessibility to numerous specialist break-out sessions on the show floor will be most welcomed by visitors. International speakers at this year’s conference include Bobby Cameron, VP, Principle Analyst, Forrester, Katja Ruud, Research Director and Agenda Manager, Gartner Research and Sandy Carter, VP, IBM Software Group Worldwide Channels for IBM Corp.

In addition, the Middle East International Banking, Financial Technology and Services Exhibition, MEFX, supported by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), will run alongside GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK to provide an all-encompassing value proposition to businesses throughout the region.

The interactive ‘Smart Home Smart Office’ concept at this year’s GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will also be a major attraction. To be held in Consumer Electronics, this dynamic area offers companies including Alcatel Lucent, Al Futtaim Technologies, Cisco, Edimax Technology, Epson, Genius, hp, Microsoft, Panasonic, Sanyo and Verbatim to demonstrate the advances in smart technology which allows visitors to experience the functionality first hand in both a social and working environment.

Other features include the in-car entertainment area and the Xbox 360 Gaming Zone. Vendor Theatres throughout the exhibition will be available for the first time. These open presentation areas will create an open forum in the heart of the exhibition halls to allow for an engaging knowledge exchange experience between trade visitors and exhibiting companies.

Ford Middle East returns as the official GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Car showcasing the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus Limited, making its first-ever appearance in the Middle East with an expressive design, impeccable driving dynamics and class-leading technologies, which one lucky visitor will win.

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will open from 1pm – 7pm on Sunday 18 October 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Monday 19 October to Wednesday 21 October, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will run from 10am – 7pm and on Thursday 22 October the show will open at 10am and close at 5pm. The Consumer Electronics section of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will be open free to the public on Thursday 22 October for product previews.

Trade visitors can register now and pre-pay online at www.gitex.com until 15 October saving up to 25 percent on entry to the show. After this date trade visitors can register at the show. Onsite registration will be available for industry professionals on the day. The price of a one-day pass is 40 AED and 100 AED for a five-day pass.

*Source: ME Newswire

About GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK

Website: www.gitex.com

Dubai World Trade Centre will organise four major components of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, designed to maximise the value for business visitors and exhibitors.

· GITEX Business Solutions – The Leading International IT Trade Event for Enterprise and SMBs for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

· GULFCOMMS – The Largest International Telecommunications Trade Event for Mobile, Fixed, IP and Satellite for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

· Consumer Electronics - The Premier International Trade Event for Consumer Electronics, IT Systems, Components and Peripherals for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

· MEFX - The Middle East International Banking, Financial Technology and Services Exhibition,

Incorporating the following targeted events:

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK Global Conference - This key networking platform brings together the crème de la crème of industry experts and ICT professionals under one roof and will feature an unparalleled series of strategic keynotes, seminars and dynamic networking sessions. The event gives delegates a priceless opportunity to learn from, debate with and exchange views with some of the leading experts within the ICT industry.

GITEX Majlis - This executive business programme for CEOs and other top level executive attendees, is designed to ensure that they enjoy a fast-track experience at the show. Keeping their busy schedules in mind, members can enjoy easy pre-completed registration, advance issuance and delivery of the GITEX Majlis Badge and Executive Lounge facilities. These are just a few of the benefits offered to GITEX Majlis members. For more information, please visit www.gitex.com

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

Website: www.dwtc.com

As the organiser of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, Dubai World Trade Centre offers more than 30 years’ experience of delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises 18 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.

Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.