Saudi to spur investments

The Kingdom’s lucrative IT sector is expected to grow   Jeddah - Arabstoday The upcoming GITEX Saudi Arabia 2012, 11th International Information and Communications Technology Exhibition for Saudi Arabia, will introduce local, regional and international investors and businesses to the booming Saudi IT sector, say organizers.The latest edition of the Kingdom's leading ICT trade fair will take place from May 21 to 24 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, according to a press release. The event has the support of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said organizers. GITEX Saudi Arabia 2012 will be organized into two parts: A businesses section featuring Saudi Communications 2012 — The 14th International Telecommunications Exhibition which will serve as the business-to-business portion of GITEX, and Computer Shopper 2012 — a consumer section which will focus on tech-savvy consumers looking for tailored products and services that suite their individual lifestyle and needs. "Saudi Arabia has been very receptive to the idea of technology-enabled growth, which is why it now occupies a leading position in the regional economy," said a spokesperson from Riyadh Exhibitions Company. “Its IT market has a lot to offer to Arab and international businesses especially as government is prioritizing the accelerated growth of local ICT capabilities. The government's current 5-year development plan includes a lot of IT-reliant infrastructure projects that IT players from around the world can look into during GITEX. Consumers will find the exhibition's host of advanced gadgetry and technologies highly interesting as well. This year's program caters to the full spectrum of IT enthusiasts, industry players, decision makers and investors,” said the spokesperson. The Kingdom’s lucrative IT sector is expected to grow into a $4.9 billion market by 2015.