The inaugural iTECH Gulf 2014 will be held under the patronage of Minister of State for Telecommunications Affairs Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the event organiser announced.

Bahrain-based Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) said Shaikh Fawaz, who is also Information Affairs Authority president, will preside over the opening of the iTECH Gulf Exhibition and Forum on April 9 next year, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The three-day event, being held at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf Convention Centre, has two components - a forum which will focus on the latest developments in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, and an exhibition, which will allow visitors a chance to experience the latest hardware and software products.

"iTECH Gulf 2014 looks to position Bahrain as the ICT hub for the Northern Gulf by creating a one-stop convention giving delegates and visitors the opportunity to exchange knowledge in the latest technologies and trends within the ICT and information technology (IT) industry," HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said.

"The support of the leading government entity responsible for the infrastructure for the development of the IT and ICT industries in Bahrain confirms the value that the inaugural iTECH Gulf will deliver through both its dedicated forum and exhibition," he added.

HCE exhibitions director Ahmed Suleiman said that the event addresses the industry's need for a boutique event in the first half of the year.

"We are looking to create a platform that breaks the clutter and allows for focused business to business networking, and knowledge exchange," he said.

"The response so far has been phenomenal and we can confirm that there will be around 50 exhibitors and 400-odd delegates," he added.

"Some eminent speakers have already confirmed their intention to present their thoughts.

"In developing the agenda for this pan-GCC forum, we consulted experts from across the IT world," he said.

Among confirmed speakers is Hong Kong Telecom Institute of Information Technology director, engineering chair dean and electronic and computer engineering professor as well as Centre for Wireless Information Technology associate director Dr Khaled Ben Letaief.

In addition to insightful presentations and panel discussions, the forum will also feature a 'Technomics' session, in which IT firms will be asked to consider the business case for IT and ICT infrastructural investment.

"It is very important that companies understand why they are spending on ICT and the business benefits of such capital investment," Suleiman said.

"Sometimes companies can get too caught up with consumerism in seeking the newest software rather than purchasing according to business requirements," he added.

The forum will also feature an App Academy and a one-day 'i-ntrepreneurs' forum, the aim of which will be to encourage the growth of the next generation of IT entrepreneurs in the GCC.

Special sessions will cover essentials including preparation for funding, copyright and intellectual property protection and marketing.

Earlier, Abdulrahman had said that ICT is expected to contribute $372 million to Bahrain's economy by the end of this year, after providing seven per cent of national GDP growth in the second quarter.

"To develop a vibrant IT economy it is vital to encourage the development of an IT private sector.

"Nowhere is this more so than in the emerging IT hub economies of Bahrain and the GCC," he said.

According to Suleiman, the opportunity for events like iTECH Gulf is immense, not only because of the Gulf's telecom advancements, but also for the additional wealth that such conferences can bring to host cities.

"In addition to presenting a highly relevant, cutting edge technical programme, iTECH Gulf will seek to capitalise on Bahrain's strategic geographical location - and in particular its long-standing links with India, the West and the Far East - to present a positive case for the kingdom, ranked second in the Mena region for Internet connectivity, as an ICT centre," he said.-TradeArabia News  Service