The UAE is one of the leading countries in the Middle East when it comes to spending on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), according to a recent report. Research conducted by economic and financial analysts Global Insight shows that the UAE is currently spending $11.4 billion on ICT and that figure is set to rise to $14.8 billion by 2011. Hundreds of companies from across the UAE will participate at Gitex Technology Week on Oct. 19-23 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, looking to build on strong relationships between the rest of the world and the UAE technology industries. Al Salwa Computer Devices, Al Yah Satellite Communications, Avaya Intelligent Communications, CERT, Etisalat, Jacky's Middle East, Mitel Networks, Ortronics, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Thuraya Satellite are some of the other UAE companies participating. They will sit alongside other major international exhibitors such as Blackberry, Dell, Etisalat, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle Systems, Panasonic, Sharp and Symantec. “Many ICT companies from across the world are using the UAE as a base for their Middle East global operations. Gitex Technology Week is helping with this huge increase in spending by allowing UAE and international companies to connect with businesses and establish lasting working relationships,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai World Trade Cente, organizer of Gitex Technology Week. The largest area of spending in the UAE ICT market, according to the research, is within the consumer sector, with $5.3 billion currently being spent; a figure that is set to rise to $6.8 billion in the next three years. The UAE is also currently spending nearly $1 billion on ICT in the communications, energy and utilities, and Government sectors, with each rising to $1.2 billion by 2011. Sami Abi Esber, president, Mideast Data Systems, said: “Gitex Technology Week is always a very important exhibition where our group MDS UAE, chosen by IDC as the number one IT service company in UAE for the fourth consecutive year, gets the opportunity to highlight its services to a global market.” __
