The GCC countries are expected to spend up to a staggering US$375 billion on the expansion of telecommunications and related infrastructure over the next decade, according to industry experts.
Current and active civil engineering and infrastructure projects of all kinds in the GCC countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have a combined value of $1.3 trillion alone, according to research company Proleads.
An estimated 25 per cent of the multi-billion dollar GCC infrastructure development budgets will be spent on expanding telecommunications, according to the organisers of the 2nd Middle East International Communications Exhibition and Conference (MECOM 2008) which takes place from 26-28 May 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates.
Now in its second year, Middle East Communications (MECOM) exhibition is dedicated for the telecommunications industry showcasing the best in hardware, software and services related to this dynamic industry sector. MECOM will place a special focus on the Smart, Mobile, Land, 3G plus, Developer, Security, WiMAX and broadband sectors.
“A recent report concluded that the telecommunications and broadband internet sectors will generate US$70 billion in annual revenue by 2015 in the MENA region,” said Trevor Punt, Group Exhibition Director for IIR Middle East, organisers of MECOM 2008. “The telecommunications sector in the UAE alone is one of the fastest growing markets not only regionally but also internationally.
“The global communications revolution continues to make inroads into the Middle East as the region’s enthusiasm for mobile phones, digital technology, internet and communication solutions, shows little sign of abating.
“With new and innovative technologies, the Middle East market is set to become one of the most lucrative in the world with a diverse range of business opportunities and tremendous scope for advanced communications systems. It is against this backdrop that MECOM 2008 is taking place right at the heart of one of the world’s most important markets.”
The MECOM event took place in April this year and was an “outstanding success,” said Punt. “Some of the most influential decision-makers in the telecommunications industry participated at MECOM 2007 the first dedicated event of its kind to run in the UAE,” he added.
Alongside the exhibition, a series of MECOM 2008 conferences and seminars will host ministries and telecom providers, communications organisations, cable, satellite and network buyers, manufacturers, end users, businessmen, entrepreneurs, importers, distributors, contractors and service companies.
High level speakers from the communications industry will address the critical issues affecting the Middle East market and provide a knowledge transfer forum in which international and regional communications industry can debate topical industry issues.
IIR Middle East is part of Informa PLC which specialises in working within the global telecommunications business community. Over 10,000 decision makers from leading wireless and fixed telecoms companies worldwide, rely on Informa’s reports and consultancy providing news and analysis of the latest industry data.
“With access to such a comprehensive resource, MECOM clearly offers participants a strategic advantage,” concluded Punt.
