President of India visits GITEX Dubai 2003

The President of India, HE Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today visited GITEX 2003 the Middle East's largest and most important information technology event much to the delight of organizers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

HE Dr. Kalam was impressed by the size and scale of the event and the number of exhibitors who participated at the event from India including the including the Indian hardware industry, software and services sector with over 40 companies participating at the show.

The visiting President was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the Emirates Group and Deputy Chairman of DWTC and Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad.

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"GITEX this year has firmly established its credentials as the most important IT event in the region and this visit by HE DR. Kalam will go a long way in underlining the importance of GITEX throughout the subcontinent and we are upbeat that it will provide momentum to this show as well as GITEX Hyderabad which will take place in January 2004," said DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad.

He noted that President Kalam was impressed with the magnitude of GITEX Dubai and the organization of the event. "The show has grown phenomenally from last year with a substantial double-digit increase of 26% in the number of exhibitors, 14% in the number of participating companies, 19% in nett area and 19% in the number of country pavilions," Mr. bin Fahad emphasised.

"GITEX has risen in stature and played a significant role towards the  all-encompassing vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of converting the emirate into the Silicon Valley of the Middle East," Mr. bin Fahad said to the visiting President.

GITEX 2003 has 19 national pavilions including the Indian pavilion, 774 exhibitors, 1,703 companies and a nett area of 22,754 square metres all pointing to a significant growth in the size, scope and profile of the event.

The President's visit is symbolic of the paramount role IT can play in bringing about rapid economic growth and prosperity.

"We are confident that the visit of such a distinguished guest from India will send a clear signal to the IT multinationals across the subcontinent that their leadership is aware of the paradigm shift that GITEX is bringing about in the IT trade throughout the region," Mr. bin Fahad remarked.