The Middle East is primed to become a global driver in Internet of Things (IoT) innovations, as the GCC’s cloud market is set to grow from US $118.5 million in 2014 to US $ 668.5 million in 2020, industry experts have announced at the start of GITEX Technology Week 2015.
Connected cloud technology such as mobile apps, e-government, drones, 3D printing and robotics will form the foundation of the region’s rapidly-growing Future Cities – a key spotlight at the landmark 35th GITEX Technology Week, running 18-22nd October. By 2025, the global Smart Cities market will reach US $3.3 trillion in value, with nearly half of the world’s 26 Smart Cities arising in emerging markets such as the Middle East.
“Spearheaded by regional investment and development, the Middle East continues to be a significant pace setter in driving forward innovative discussion, implementation and knowledge exchange around IoT agendas. In testament to this, the 35th anniversary of GITEX Technology Week will be our most expansive and international edition to date. Our roster of world-renowned thought leaders and global technology companies reflect the strong demand for how Internet of Things technologies such as drones, robotics, and 3D printing can impact daily lives and every industry vertical in the Middle East and beyond,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior VP, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of GITEX Technology Week.
GITEX 2015 will be held under the theme of “The Internet Future of Everything,” revolving around the pillars of Innovation, Connected Cloud, Big Data, Mobility, and Security. A host of new initiatives are being spearheaded for the 2015 event.
In tandem with the Year of Innovation, the GTX Horizons Zone will showcase leading-edge demonstrations of next generation disruptive technologies across 3D Printing, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones and Robotics. Innovation, Interoperation and Disruption will continue as themes across the GTX Ignite conference, a powerhouse of global thought leadership, and GTX Innovation Tech Talks, free to attend sessions, that will host over 100 sessions with 150-plus global futurists, including the Prime Minister of Estonia, ICT ministers from Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria, and senior executives from Accenture, BP, Boeing, and Facebook.
In partnership with the UAE Drones for Good Award, GTX Horizons’ Drones Zone will host a selection of this year’s award winners, and drones from top manufacturers such as DJI, the world’s largest manufacturer of drones.
The GTX Hub will form the umbrella of industry vertical-focused digital transformation, providing new research, networking, and solutions for the key verticals of banking, construction, education, healthcare, retail, and oil and gas.
At the Robotics Zone, sponsored by DigiRobotics, attendees can learn how to enable robotics for the IoT era and witness the latest robotics across industry verticals.
The event’s first-ever 3D Printing area, sponsored by Jacky’s Business Solutions LLC, will showcase 3D printing across a variety of materials and industry sectors.
Additional features include the world’s largest Google CSI Lab, All Night Hackathon, Hot Stuff Awards, Student Lab, and networking platforms the Connexions Majlis, Connexions Lounge, and Connexions Online. Co-located events include the GSMA Mobile 360 Series, the region’s leading mobile community conference, and InfoComm MEA, the Middle East and Africa’s leading audio visual technology event.
Reinforcing its status as the third largest event of its kind, the show is expecting more than 130,000 visitors from over 150 countries, with more than 20,000 C-level executives, and more than 3,600 exhibiting brands from 62 countries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will serve as the Official Country Partner of GITEX Technology Week 2015, represented by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior.
