GULFCOMMS 2006, the Middle East`s largest telecommunications exhibition, which runs concurrently with GITEX 2006 - the regions leading IT and communications event, will play host to many of the worlds global telecom majors, announced organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
GULFCOMMS, to be held in the newly built 15,000 sqm Zabeel Hall, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) will run from 18-22 November 2006. The exhibitions aims to bring together some of the world`s largest and most innovative companies in the telecommunications sector, including operators and specialists in mobile communications, network development, satellite applications, IP technology and infrastructure solutions.
`More than 400 companies from 30 countries are expected to participate in this inaugural telecom event,` said DWTC General Manager Exhibitions, Trixee Loh. `This signifies the worldwide recognition of the importance of GULFCOMMS and the region and demonstrates the global telecoms companies` commitment to making their presence felt,` she added.
Some of the global and regional telecom majors who will be taking part in this event include among others Alcatel, Avaya, Belagcom, China Potevio, du, Efonica, Etisalat, France Telecom, Gateway Gulf, Inmarsat, JDSU, Juniper, Korea Telecom, Mediaring, Net2phone, Nokia, Nortel, Saudi Telecom, Streamlink, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (UAE) and Thuraya.
Organisers are confident that this trade-only focused exhibition will provide the most sought after business networking platform for the global telecommunications industry, particularly given the high levels of interest in the potential of the Middle East market. New figures from research group Arab Advisors suggest that regional telecom operators served 85 million cellular subscribers and 30 million mainlines in 2005, in a market that continues to expand rapidly through ongoing liberalisation and technological innovation.
`The Middle East`s telecommunications sector has perhaps the most potential for growth of any market in the world, so there has been strong demand for an industry event which can provide a professional platform for business development for international companies within the Middle East,` said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC.
`GULFCOMMS presents Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) with a targeted platform to network with other operators and regulators from around the region, as well as the opportunity to touch base with some of the leading major suppliers from around the world. As the guardian of UAE telecom sector, we see this event to be a positive stimulant for this core sector of the economy,` said H.E. Mohamed Al-Ghanim, TRA Director General.
`TRA has plans to put UAE in the forefront in field of Communications and Information Technologies (CIT). Therefore this exhibition will come as a venue for the exchange of many areas of interest for research and development in this vital sector,` he added.
This strategic positioning of GULFCOMMS alongside GITEX enables exhibitors to benefit from the strong international reputation and interest generated by its sister exhibition GITEX. It will also reinforce the core message of `digital convergence,` which sees technology and telecommunications interlink more closely to bring strong advantages for companies and consumers.
For industry giant Nokia, which has business divisions specialising in mobile phones, multimedia and games, enterprise solutions and networks, the partnering of GULFCOMMS and GITEX provides an important industry milestone.
`As the global leader in mobile communications, Nokia is glad to witness the birth of a telecoms-targeted exhibition - GULFCOMMS - at a very exciting time for the industry; and to team such an exhibition up with GITEX is just the icing on the cake! GITEX has always been one of the key exhibitions in the Middle East and we have been actively hoping for the telecoms ingredient to be part of this great event. We regard GULFCOMMS and GITEX as very important events for us to support and, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the Middle East and Africa area, we are delighted to be part of it this year,` commented Dr. Walid Moneimne, Senior Vice President, Central Europe Middle East and Africa, Networks, Nokia.
GULFCOMMS will also offer visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to attend dedicated industry Conference organised in collaboration with GVF, which will examine the full range of issues and opportunities facing operators, regulators and telecommunications companies in the Middle East.
In addition, with access to GITEX included for GULFCOMMS visitors - and the opportunity to see the latest products and services from major IT companies from around the world, organisers are confident that this `one-stop shop` for decision-makers will prove a major international attraction.
Last year GITEX had attracted 127,724 trade visitors, a 9.77% increase over the previous year. A total of 1.163 exhibitors representing 2,724 companies from 61 countries had taken up an area of 30,227 square meter space at the venue. There were 25 country pavilions in 2005.
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