FROM LEFT-Henrik R Mulvad, Peter Olu Jack, Abdulla Hashim, Ahmed Al Khaja, Marwan bin Haidar, Nawar Atassi, Trixie Loh Mirmand
Gitex Technology Week, the region’s largest ICT event, will have more than 3,700 companies from 61 countries participating this year. It is expected to attract a hundred thousand visitors from 150 countries to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The event’s lead sponsors and partners Etisalat, Ericsson and Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) gave a sneak peek into the four knowledge themes – Smart technology, Cloud, Big Data and Mobility – that will drive GITEX this year at a press conference today.
Accenture, Du Telecom, Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai Smart Government (DSG) were also present, as panellists from each discussed their aspirations that hinge on making Dubai smart in all sectors of economy.
The region’s ICT market is set to jump from a projected USD15 billion in 2014 to a whopping USD20 billion by 2020 boosted by Dubai government’s investment in ICT. The government will have a wider presence at GITEX this year compared to before. For example, the event’s Official Smart Experience Partner Etisalat intends to provide the visitors with a seamless registration process – one aspect of a new ‘On Track for the Smart Experience’ initiative – that aims to evolve the attendee experience by integrating smart networking and interactive navigation and marketing.
Marwan Bin Haider, Executive Director, Planning & Development, DSG, said: “The region’s Smart City developments demonstrate how GCC governments are increasingly innovating delivery of services to people and businesses. GITEX Technology Week is where we will display our IT muscle and our readiness for a hyper-connected world; our vision is to arm the government with digitised services that will play a key role in enabling such an environment.”
DSG also intends to launch a Smart Experience service for tourists that will help them register their SIMs at the POS, when purchasing a number.
Helal Almarri, Director General, DTCM and CEO, DWTC, said: “Under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai is set to transform into a ‘Smart City’ by harnessing technology to create better living conditions and new forms of developments for all people in Dubai and the UAE. GITEX Technology Week is privileged to contribute to this vision by facilitating the public-private partnership in knowledge exchange and sharing of achievements between the world’s leaders in smart innovations and local organisations leading the smart transformation of Dubai.”
Sharing a similar vision of a smart government for Nigeria, Peter Jack, Director General – NITDA, said: “Nigeria’s ICT sector contributes 8% to GDP and has witnessed a growth of 24% from last year. We are increasingly investing in IT parks and innovation centres to take ICT beyond Oil & Gas similar to Dubai. At GITEX, we will showcase our standing as Africa’s gateway for ICT investment opportunities and best practices on how connectivity can make a social impact. We also intend to establish partnerships with Dubai government that will help bring our vision to life.”
Nawar Atassi, Head of New Account Management for GCC & Pakistan, Ericsson, discussed the role of consumer behaviour research in a hyper-connected world. “A new level of mobility will enable the region’s Smart Cities, which is at the heart of our networked society vision, to positively impact daily lives at home, at work and in cities. People will be able to live more freely while enjoying smarter features everywhere in more sustainable cities – and Dubai is serving as a global benchmark in Smart City leadership,” he said.
Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President Digital Services, Etisalat, added: “GITEX continues to set the regional pace for ICT development, as evidenced by the upgraded smart experiences at this year’ show. As part of our partnership with DWTC, Etisalat is utilising the latest cutting-edge technology to ensure show visitors receive an innovative smart-themed experience which reflects the rapid developments across the UAE’s Smart technology sphere.”
The five-day event will hold a Big Data Conference and Cloud Confex on the 14th of Oct. Global leaders in data storage and management will present new cloud-based solutions at GITEX with the GCC cloud computing market due to post seven-fold growth with a CAGR of 32.8% and Big Data market poised to jump from USD 3.2 billion in 2013 to USD 15.1 billion by 2020.
The Digital Strategies Forum taking place on the 15th will help organisations use mobility to enhance customer interactions.
At the Industry Briefings – a key component of this year’s GITEX Trends – speakers will debate tech trends in cutting-edge, sector-specific knowledge platforms; GITEX After 5; the Bloggers Tweetup and Tech Talk Blogger Programme which will double attendance from regional and international bloggers.
The event will also feature an official press reception ShowStoppers, online community ConneXions, live streaming of social media, trending topics and tech news via the Content Hub, the 2nd GITEX Hot Stuff Awards recognising top gadgets and GITEX TV – the 53-screen in-house broadcast presence.
Enhanced interactive elements of GITEX include the GSM Exchange Zone, a platform for the mobile product industry, the C-Level Majlis Lounge for senior executive networking, free Smart Sessions for knowledge-sharing, the ConneXions Lounge, SME Zone, GSMA Mobile 360 Series: Middle East, and InfoComm MEA.
It will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from the 12-16th of October.