RIYADH: Maintaining sustainable growth in the information and communications technology (ICT) will remain Saudi Arabia's national priority, as the Kingdom's projected software market during the current year is poised to reach SR675 million, up from SR611 million in 2010. This was stated by Shahid Bhatti, Project Manager of GITEX Saudi Arabia. He said considering the growth potential and interest shown by national and international ICT industry players GITEX Saudi Arabia 2011, the 10th International Information Technology Exhibition would feature a more comprehensive range of IT solutions and products. Organized by Riyadh Exhibition Company (REC), the GITEX Saudi Arabia 2011, is starting from May 16-19 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, he said. Bhatti said the Shoura Council is eyeing to raise the industry's contribution to the national GDP to 20 percent by 2020, which in turn would boost the confidence in the ICT market. “The Shoura Council has signified that ICT development initiatives will remain among its top priorities within the coming years and this reassurance has certainly boosted the confidence of key players in the Saudi ICT sector,” said Bhatti. He said the recent studies, reaffirming the government's robust ICT outlook, have projected Saudi Arabia's software market to reach $675 million during the current year, up from $611 million in 2010, which is poised to maintain a healthy growth rate in the succeeding years. The IT services market in the Kingdom is expected to reach $1.1 billion this year and sustain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nine percent during the period from 2011 to 2015. Driven by the proactive efforts of the government aimed at attracting investments in the ICT sector, a number of first-time exhibitors have indicated to participate in the GITEX Saudi Arabia 2011, he said. Based on the manifested growth prospects year's GITEX Saudi Arabia is witnessing a surge in interest from regional and global exhibitors, he said. “In this regard, we have prepared extensively to provide a genuinely conducive platform for buyers and suppliers to interact and discuss business across a diverse range of sectors, including oil and gas, financial services, healthcare, education and communications,” said Bhatti. Organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the GITEX Saudi Arabia 2011 will witness exhibitors from the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Asia. The leading ICT trade show will run concurrently with Saudi Communications 2011, the 13th International Telecommunications Exhibition, certified by UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and Computer Shopper 2011, the 10th Computer Shopper Exhibition. GITEX Saudi Arabia, Saudi Shopper and Saudi Communications 2011 will jointly display ICT products, services and systems, telecommunications equipment; networking and IT solutions and software; office automation; the latest personal computers and laptops, mobile phones, multimedia devices and digital products. The back-to-back trade shows will also feature technology-enabled educational and entertainment devices. GITEX Saudi Arabia 2010 and Saudi Communications 2010 welcomed over 100,000 visitors and more than 450 exhibitors. This year's edition is expected to bring in bigger numbers as it offers more technologies for enhancing businesses and optimizing performance.
