With Saudi Arabia accounting for nearly half of the total Middle East IT spend, Gitex Technology Week (Gitex), one of the largest ICT events in the region, expects to draw major Saudi buyers and exhibitors.

This year, more companies than ever from Saudi Arabia are participating at Gitex, taking place from October 18 to 22 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Some of the top participating companies include Charisma, Datastar International, Integrated Telecom Company and Quality Horizons.

Saudi Arabia’s IT market is projected to be worth $4.9 billion by 2013, up from $3.6 billion in 2009, according to a report by Business Monitor International (BMI).

Mega projects such as the $80 billion Economic City demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s demand for global IT solutions. The shift towards knowledge-based industries also represents major opportunities for a myriad of IT product and service firms, with local IT solution providers looking at ways to further develop their lines of business.

“Saudi Arabia is quickly establishing itself as a key international IT hub,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gitex.

“With the country accounting for more than half the Middle East’s IT spend, Saudi is easily the largest market in the Gulf. The rapidly evolving economy demands world class IT solutions. Gitex is the perfect platform for companies to showcase their expertise and this year we expect thousands of potential buyers from Saudi Arabia.”

Gitex is one of the region’s key business platforms providing an essential forum to demonstrate the latest products and services from the Saudi Arabian market, said a statement.

The show’s new sector-focused format will provide a value-added experience for exhibitors looking to access key international players and receive maximum exposure to the global market.

With the Middle East ICT sector remaining buoyant at a time when more established markets are experiencing a slowdown, global companies are focusing heavily on strengthening their presence in the Gulf region’s strongest IT market.

“We are a Saudi company in the forefront of wireless communications technology that specializes in customized applications for advanced remote monitoring solutions and Gitex provides us the perfect platform to showcase our world leading technology to a global audience,” said Abdulrahman Al-Rowita, vice president for business development at Datastar International. – TradeArabia News Service