Dubai: India is fielding a strong contingent of 66 companies at Gitex in a bid to strengthen its relations with the Middle East in information and communications technology (ICT).
"Gitex is the largest and most impressive ICT event of its kind in the Middle East and is now ranked as one of the top three exhibitions in the world. Naturally, India has a great stake in the booming Middle East, Africa, Asia and European markets for which Dubai is the gateway.
Opportunities
"Thus the event provides the participating companies burgeoning opportunities," Kamal Vachani, Regional Director for the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) Middle East, said.
Among the 66 firms including the Andhra Pradesh and Kerala Governments, 40 companies are taking part under the umbrella of the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, an autonomous body under the Indian Ministry of Communications and IT.
Last year 34 firms under ESC took part out of the total of 60.
Vachani said that most of the 40 firms taking part are keen to set up representative or dedicated offices in Dubai.
He also said this year the country expects to rake in $30 million (Dh110.14 million) in sales during the event, a growth of 50 per cent compared to $20 million last year.
"We will take all steps to ensure that ESC maintains top position in promoting exports of IT and IT-related products to Dubai and the Middle East," he said.
ESC has been participating in Gitex for several years and the participating Indian companies under ESC's banner have reported high satisfaction.
These companies have reported forging significant businesses, joint ventures and marketing tie-ups with the buyers visiting the exhibition.
India's total ICT exports in 2009-10 are expected to touch $56.4 billion.
Hardware
Out of this, the electronics hardware will comprise $5.4 billion and the software services $51 billion.
Middle East countries remain India's third-ranking destination for electronics hardware exports.
The share of electronics hardware exports from India to the Middle East increased from 14.81 per cent in 2008-09 to $844 million in 2009-2010, a growth of 15.46 per cent over last year.
Exports of software and services to the Middle East countries during the year 2009-10 are an estimated $1.7 billion.