The 2008 edition of Gitex Technology Week is set to host some of the year’s most high-profile launches, with consumer electronics companies in particular looking to demonstrate their commitment to the Middle East market by making the event a key platform for new innovations. 

Running from October 19 to 23, 2008, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, this year’s event takes place at the start of a vital fourth quarter for technology businesses.

As a result, many companies are planning to use Gitex Week as the primary opportunity to stage their major launches for the year, with consumer electronics companies in particular looking to make a significant impact.

Major brands including Panasonic, Sharp, Samsung, and Sanyo have already announced that they will extend their presence at this year’s event - and competition is already breaking out as companies look to stand-out in competitive fields ranging from mini-notebook PCs to widescreen displays.

“As one of the world’s top three technology events, Gitex Week has long attracted many of the leading brands in the IT space.  For 2008, we’re anticipating the highest volume of new launches in the show’s history, particularly since so many major consumer IT brands have confirmed that they will expand their presence for 2008,” said director general, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organiser of Gitex Week, Helal Saeed Almarri.

Key trends expected at this year’s Gitex Week are regional premiers of a range of new products, from “Subnotebooks,” to the world’s largest LCD.

Major manufacturers are set to bring a range of the new computers - some of which are the size of a paperback book and easily portable - for display at the event, which are set to have a major impact on brand-conscious consumers.

One of the key areas set for this year’s Gitex Week will be the regional premiers of a range of new LCD screens. Industry leaders including Sharp and Panasonic are set to bring a range of the new screens for display at the event, which are set to have a major impact on brand-conscious consumers.

Panasonic have already announced that it is set to bring its enormous 150-inch plasma high definition television - the world’s largest plasma television - to the event. 

Innovation will also be on display in the world of electronic gaming, with the inaugural GITEX Digital Game World.

Taking place simultaneously at Gitex Week and Gitex Shopper and Consumer Electronics Expo, the event will cover all aspects of gaming.

Gitex Week will provide a platform to discuss the business-to-business potential of this innovative market, including special sessions on online retail sales and interactive advertising, while regional teams will battle it out in a series of organised games and online tournaments at GITEX Shopper.

Organiser DWTC will also host a series of developer workshops at the event, with specific emphasis on supporting the development of original Arabic games and software. – TradeArabia News Service