• Home
• /
• Business

Trade visitors at 25th edition of Gitex surge by 9.77 per cent

DUBAI — The Silver Jubilee edition of Gitex attracted 127,724 trade visitors, registered a 9.77 per cent increase over the previous edition announced organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). It has once again proved that it is one of the leading IT exhibitions in the world by attracting a huge number of trade visitors from across the globe.

Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri, director general, DWTC, said: “The significant increase in the number of visitors has proved once again that Gitex is the most important platform for industry professionals and businesses to network . Sizeable deals were concluded during the five-day event and potential business prospected during Gitex are expected to generate millions.’’.

The various product launches by IT majors, a marked increase in the number of deals and visits by corporate VIPs were the hallmarks of the show which has made IT history in its 25th edition.

Jyoti Lalchandani, Director, IDC Middle East and Africa, said: “In its role as a forum for the promotion of new technologies and services, it serves as a valuable educational outlet that helps generate interest in IT and its potential. In addition to encouraging uptake of the latest technology, this helps drive the sale of commodity products, which in turn furthers awareness.

Lalchandani added: “Gitex also brings people together who may not have otherwise met, companies and representatives from countries like Bangladesh, India, South Africa and even Canada and Australia as well as the Middle East establish relationships that can lead to long-term partnerships that not only promote the region's IT markets but helps the economy in general.’’

Emirates Telecommunications Corporation,Etisalat included an array of impressive futuristic technologies and applications in the 'Future' section of their Gitex 2005 stand. Much like science fiction, these technologies propel telecommunications and entertainment options into a whole new era, and an already tech-savvy population in the UAE can look forward to being even better connected.

Mohammed Sharaf, marketing manager, Middle East, Egypt & Pakistan, Lenovo, which made its debut at the show said: “Our participation at Gitex 2005 was an amazing success for a debutant company like us. Our new products launched during the show attracted keen interest from across the region.’’

Microsoft hosted a demonstration of the 'New World of Work', at Gitex. The 'New World of Work' is a dramatic change in the way information workers access information, and it provides an opportunity for people to unleash their creativity and productivity, and realize their full potential.

Bahwan IT, one of Microsoft's most important partners in Oman, received qualification as a Gold Certified Microsoft Partner, the company announced at Gitex.

eCompany, Etisalat's one-stop e-powerhouse Business Unit announced new enhancements to its SecureAccess package meant for large enterprises and SME customers at Gitex.

Nokia enabled a Push-To-Talk service for UAE telco Etisalat, by deploying its push to talk over cellular network solution during Gitex.

The success of Gitex 2005 also ensured extra benefits to the emirate in terms of hotel occupancy. The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) reported 100% occupancy for all leading city and beachfront hotels during the event. "This major annual event provides a momentum to the growth of the hospitality industry that has already witnessed all-round success," said DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb. The multi-pronged strategy to ease traffic congestion was responsible for significantly easing the flow of vehicles in and around the DWTC complex. DWTC, DTCM, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Avis and Valtrans contributed to the successful implementation of the strategy. To adequately deal with the significant increase in trade visitors, DWTC added 20 registration desks across vantage points throughout the venue to decrease queuing and recruited 75 ushers to assist visitors in the registration process. Separate desks and soft seating areas were located near registration desk clusters to facilitate the visitor registration process. A total of 1,011 local, regional and international media personnel visited Gitex 2005 to cover the event. Extensive arrangements were made to facilitate them at the state-of-the-art media centre.

A wide range of new products were launched by British companies and more than 87 British-based companies were represented at the exhibition, mostly in a group presentation organised by Trade Fair Support, on behalf of the trade organisation Intellect, and with the backing of UK Trade & Investment, the government body responsible for promoting exports from and inward investment into the United Kingdom.

The media centre with more than 50 workstations had all the necessary equipment needed for covering a major event such as Gitex. The centre was sponsored by HP and Tally Solutions. The Silver Jubilee edition of Gitex will go down in the annals of the exhibition industry as the most successful ever with deals, launches and business galore. The event lived up to its promise as the most effective forum for IT professionals in the region and delivered successfully as exhibitors reported higher number of visitors, serious inquiries, deals and business in large numbers.