UAE: GITEX Technology Week 2012 is boosting its international scope as the ICT sector transforms the way business is done.

Managing Big Data, the role of consumer devices in the workplace, cyber security, nurturing the growth of SMEs and opportunities in Africa are at the fore this year.

Over the past 32 years, GITEX Technology Week has consistently ramped up its scale and influence and is set to have an even greater international impact this year, further boosting the brand as one of the world’s largest and most influential Information and Communication Technology (ICT) events. Under the theme “Where Technology Means Business”, GITEX Technology Week 2012 runs from October 14-18, 2012 at Dubai World Trade Centre .

GITEX connects more than 138,000 industry professionals and over 3,500 suppliers from 144 countries across five continents, making it one of the world’s top three ICT exhibitions. And its reputation is set to grow further still as the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region continues to use cutting-edge technology as the catalyst for increasingly rapid, era-defining developments. This year, over 80% of leading ICT brands will be present at GITEX, with C-level executives in attendance representing ICT budgets of over $50 billion.

“The Middle East and Africa region is evolving with breath-taking pace, and so too is GITEX Technology Week 2012. As the organisers of the region’s premier ICT event, it is our job to stay ahead of the curve and provide the right platform for the latest innovations to flourish and take root,” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre , which organizes GITEX.

“GITEX is proud to operate as a leader for exciting change, and this year we are once again enhancing our scope, including putting the most powerful spotlight yet on SMEs and on emerging markets such as Africa, as well as refining our ability to not only showcase technology trends, but also to help lead its influential integration across crucial vertical sectors,” said Loh.

Sam Al Kharrat, Managing Director of SAP Middle East & North Africa, a subsidiary of German SAP AG, a market leader in enterprise application software, said: “SAP is investing an additional spend of $450 million over the next four years into the Middle East and North Africa region to expand our regional presence, build value-based customer relationships, enhance our eco-system channel capacity, up-skill local talent and strengthen the localisation of our solutions. GITEX is a timely and powerful showcase for us elaborate on these plans and vividly demonstrate how we can help businesses and organisations run better through transformational innovations in fields such as analytics, in-memory technology, the cloud and mobility.”

Aymen Smaoui, General Manager for the Dubai-based UAE branch of Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corporation, said: “As a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, ZTE is delighted to be making its GITEX debut. The Middle East and Africa region is a key part of our business ambitions moving forward, and we are looking forward to highlighting our extensive portfolio of innovative products and business solutions, as well learning about pertinent local trends and connecting with key players and decision-makers.”

Among the new additions set to make a mark this year is the SME Zone, which underscores the importance of small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups in shaping the MEA’s technology industry – from innovations to job creation. Tailored to maximise return on investment, GITEX’s SME Zone is a lucrative conduit for SME ICT businesses from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, to engage with a high concentration of influential investors.

Further indicative of GITEX’s vast global reach, is the introduction of an International Zone, a brand new platform dedicated to giving more than 40 specific country groups the chance to present their most innovative technology products and seek profitable cross-border sales and collaboration. Source: zawya.com