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World Hi-tech Spotlight on Dubai as Gitex Kicks Off

DUBAI - Gitex Technology Week, Middle East’s biggest information and communication technology exhibition showcasing products and services of 3,300 companies, opened on Sunday at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, opened the 28th edition of the show amid expectations of a week of announcements and knowledge exchange. “The presence of His Highness highlights the importance of the ICT industry to Dubai and the region, as companies look to build long-lasting relationships within the UAE and wider Middle East,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General, Dubai World Trade Centre, which is organising the event that also combines a series of seminars and conferences. Organisers said they expected more than 130,000 people to visit the five-day event to get a first-hand experience of a wide array of innovative technologies, products and solutions from a line-up of leading brands in the ICT industry.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, exhibitors said compared to previous editions, visitor traffic on the opening day was less as Gitex Shopper and Consumer Electronics Expo, at the Airport Expo, was drawing more technology enthusiasts.

A major highlight on the first day was the keynote address at the Global Conference from the Chairman and Co-Founder of Sun Microsystems, Scott McNealy who addressed issues affecting the global economy and about the important role open source technology will play in driving economic growth.

“The show spotlights technology innovations and trends in one of the most important markets in the world, the Middle East, said McNealy.

issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com