Maghreb’s IT Revenues To Surge 15% & Touch US$1.3 billion

The ICT market in the Maghreb region which is set to expand by 15% this year to generate revenues worth AED4.77 billion (US$1.3 billion), is ideally poised to benefit from GITEX 2005, organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) announced

Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania which make up the Maghreb region will be participating in GITEX 2005, focusing clearly on identifying products and solutions that are customised to meet their individual requirements.

“With more companies from the Maghreb countries participating in this year’s 25th edition of GITEX, the region will be looking for increased interaction with the world trade community to expand its ICT sector,” said Mr. Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri, DWTC Director General.

According to research firm IDC’s projections, the Maghreb region’s IT market is dominated by hardware systems with 39.4%, followed by IT services with 23.8% and packaged software with 13.8%. Peripherals, networking equipment and storage products make up the rest of the market. In 2004 the ICT sector in Maghreb generated revenues worth US$1.13 billion, according to IDC.

“GITEX attracts global majors and leading regional players and serves as an ideal platform for networking and conducting business. With the ICT sector projected to grow nearly 20% in the Middle East and Africa, GITEX facilitates conditions beneficial to business in the region,” said Mr. Al Marri.

Morocco has confirmed that a contingent of nine companies will be participating in GITEX 2005, while Tunisia is participating for the first time.

GITEX 2005, one of the world’s premier IT events will be held from September 25-29, 2005 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year the show has been expanded further to accommodate an ever-increasing number of exhibitors and trade visitors.

GITEX 2004 welcomed over 939 exhibitors representing more than 2,428 companies from 41 countries. With record number of 116,346 trade visitors, the event last year covered all the available halls at the venue including a tented structure.

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