Saudi computer market ‘to grow at 7pc’
Riyadh, May 10, 2011
The computer hardware market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 per cent through 2015, with demand for notebooks driving the retail segment, said the organisers of an upcoming ICT event in Riyadh.
Gitex Saudi Arabia 2011, the 10th international IT exhibition, will run from May 16 to 19, covering around 15,000 sq m at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“The Saudi ICT market continues to experience exponential growth. Computers and computer hardware accounted for around half of consumer electronics sales in 2010, with domestic spending expected to increase to $1.9 billion in 2011 over last year’s $1.8 billion,” added Mohammed Al Hussaini, deputy general manager of organiser Riyadh Exhibitions Company.
Organisers have confirmed over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries to showcase latest developments and emerging trends within the Saudi ICT sector.
Major government agencies led by the National Information Centre – Ministry of Interior, Riyadh Municipality, Public Pension Fund, the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and others have confirmed their participation at the event.
Some of the biggest names in the ICT world will also be attending this year’s Gitex Saudi Arabia, including Alcatel-Lucent, HP, Dell, Sony, Kaspersky, Blackberry, Bravo, Epson, Acer and Asus.
“The growth in the local IT sector is boosting demand for advanced IT solutions, matching business and lifestyle in this age of high communications mobility. Gitex Saudi Arabia 2011 provides valuable insights on how the needs of the Kingdom’s ICT market can be met and what still needs to be done at the manufacturer, service provider, legislator and consumer levels moving forward,” added Al Hussaini.
Gitex Saudi Arabia will run concurrently with Saudi Communications 2011, the 13th international telecommunications exhibition, certified by UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and Computer Shopper 2011, the 10th computer shopper exhibition.
The back-to-back trade shows will also feature technology-enabled educational and entertainment devices, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service
