Middle East, Africa and South Asia markets will drive the telecommunications industry over the next decade, organisers of a leading exhibition said.

Gulfcomms, an international telecommunications trade event taking place in Dubai in October, is organized by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) as part of the Gitex Technology Week (October 19-23).

With the Middle East telecoms market fast becoming the focal point for international and regional suppliers, Gulfcomms is now sold out as companies seek to use the event as a platform to exploit the growing opportunities within the region, said DWTC.

According to research and consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton, the current revenue for the telecommunications and broadband internet sectors in the Mena region exceeds $50 billion, and is set to grow to $70 billion by 2015.

Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, DWTC, said: “Gulfcomms always proves a very popular segment of Gitex Technology Week, by providing a focused platform for the communication market across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Population growth and deregulation will see the Mena region take over from America and Europe in the next five years, and much of the new business will be generated during Gitex Technology Week.”

More than 80 countries and nearly 3,500 companies will take part in Gitex, the region’s leading technology event, including Alcatel, Avaya, BlackBerry, du, Ericsson, Etisalat, NEC Philips, Orange Business Services and RIM.

Extending its key support is UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

“The telecoms industry is a booming market right now, with many global companies signing deals to expand into the Middle East and North Africa region. Gitex Technology Week is a dynamic event and fits with our goal to further develop the sector, enhance building bridges of cooperation and encourage the world’s most advanced technologies to the UAE,” said Mohamed N Al Ghanim, TRA board member and director general. – TradeArabia News Service