Gitex: Cyber security, innovations
The countdown has begun, and come next week, all roads in Dubai will lead to the biggest technology-based exhibition on the city’s events calendar, with Gitex returning with its biggest affair yet.
Despite rumours of a double dip recession plaguing companies globally, the CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre – organisers of the event – confirmed in terms of net space, visitors expected and delegates, 2011 is expected to be the biggest in the exhibition’s entire history.
Fears of another recession were brushed off by Helal Saaed Almarri, with him saying: “Over 3,500 suppliers, 57 countries, 130,000 professionals and over 160,000 visitors are expected at this year’s Gitex, with the exhibition maintaining an 80 per cent retention rate from vendors, when compared to the previous year.”
He added: “Despite the global recession three years ago, the tide has turned in favour of this region because large companies are looking for a wider base where potential is bright in terms of growth.”
The CEO further explained that the IT sector in the Middle East and North Africa region was poised for even a further accelerated growth, with $50 billion spent on the IT industry this year alone.
“It is time to take a sneak peek into the future, and Gitex will promise you just that,” he said.
All eyes on innovation
The future brings in a focus on cyber security, which will also be at the forefront at this year’s exhibition.
With the UAE reinforcing its battle against online crime, a recent Norton Cybercrime report indicate that two people in the country are targeted every minute, with $600 million spent here annually to fight internet bandits.
Gitex this year is also heavily concentrating on new innovations, with a Global Leaders Summit on October 9, themed ‘Innovation in Leadership’ bringing in icons such as Pranav Mistry, as the inventor of Sixth Sense Mistry, who was voted as one of the top 15 Asian scientists to watch, along with one of the top 35 innovators in the world, under 35.
Other innovations expected to be launched at Gitex will certainly make the tech junkies salivate, with some of the highlights including regional launch of Nokia’s N9 cell phone; Research in Motion’s much sought after BlackBerry Bold 9900; Intex’s mobile phone for the visually impaired; Panasonic’s solar-powered IP CCTV; Cyberoam’s NetGenie that works as an SMS network security system and many other surprises along the way.
Advancements in cloud computing is also expected to rain down on visitors with a special conference on October 10 and 11 discussing how companies and individuals can ride the waves of a cloud and use it to their benefit.
For those not in the know, cloud computing encompasses the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby resources, software, and information is shared to computers and other devices as a utility over a network.
Shopper’s paradise
Of course, the biggest draw of Gitex every year is its sprawling shopper, held at the Dubai Airport Expo; and this year is no different with over 100 companies participating this year.
Kicking off on October 8, the weeklong shopper will once again bring forth killer deals from those participating.
Plus, visitors can also nab loads of prizes, including a shop and win concept where spending Dh500 or more will make you eligible to win a Samsung gift voucher worth Dh1,000, with five daily draws.
If that isn’t enough to make you salivate, the same concept works by just visiting Gitex shopper to nab the same gift voucher.
Tickets to the shopper cost Dh30 per person, with students paying Dh10; children under five enter for free.
Gitex trade fair at DWTC runs from October 9 until 13, while the shopper starts a day earlier and ends on October 15.