The largest information and communication technology (ICT) trade fair in the Middle East occupied the entire 14 halls of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in the heart of the sheikhdom. Some 3,500 exhibitors from 57 countries and regions display the latest cry of modern PC office and mobile technology, hard- and software and all kinds of related accessories. Over 130,000 visitors are expected to visit the ICT congress.

　　Kazakhstan, Latvia, Malta, and Morocco participate for the first time. Besides, well-known giant brands such as Huawei, Intel, Microsoft or Blackberry, hundreds of small and medium enterprises participate this year.

　　"We are exhibiting for the second time here. It is worth coming, " said Dr. Andrej Vckovski, CEO of Swiss enterprise software producer netcetera from Zurich. "We already won a contract from the Health Authority in Abu Dhabi and we plan to expand to Qatar."

　　The annual ICT spending in the Gulf Arab region alone is expected to grow by 15 percent and to reach 180 billion U.S. dollars in 2014.

　　While e-users still have to wait for Windows 8 from Microsoft, Huawei Technologies demonstrates its latest Cloud Computing solutions. Cloud Computing describes the process where many firms share the same server simply through software, instead of running expensive independent servers at their premises.

　　The fair has also a lot of firsts on its agenda. Nokia launches the N9 mobile phone in the region for the first time. Research in Motion or RIM from Canada shows its new Bold 9900 Blackberry smart phone. Panasonic showcases its planned solar-energy run community for 3,000 citizens in Fujisawa near Tokyo.

　　"We plan to finish construction and launch this full-fledged Green Community in 2018, when Panasonic will celebrate its 100 years anniversary," said Muneo Yamamoto, Technical Manager Systems Solutions at Panasonic.

　　Symantec launches Endpoint Protection 12, Cloud Security software. "Security is currently the top priority for organizations across the Middle East," explained Bulent Teksoz, Chief Security Strategist for Emerging Markets at Symantec.

　　According to the NASDAQ-listed software provider, 76 percent of United Arab Emirates residents have fallen victim to Cyber Crime in 2010, and Saudi Arabia remains the most spammed country in the world, with a spam rate of 84 percent, albeit global spam is decreasing.

　　A parallel Gitex conference hosts leading experts from the ICT industry for presentations and discussions around the latest trends and challenges. For retail consumers, the Gitex Shopper Fair at the Dubai Airport Expo offers everything from laser printers to iPads, from Smart Phones to CD. Due to the discount sellers offer at the Gitex Shopper, the consumer fair is a popular hub for bargain hunters.