D K Sareen, executive director, Electronics and Computer Software and Export Promotion council said: "India is preparing for the next stage of growth in the IT sector. Indian companies are looking to show the UAE and the rest of the world solutions emerging out of the sub-continent. This week will provide the perfect platform for us to do that."

According to internetworldstats.com, 60 million people now have access to the internet in India, making it the third-highest in Asia. From 2000-2008 internet use grew by over 1000 percent.

This year's Gitex Technology Week will incorporate a powerful week of dedicated trade events, including Gitex Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics, as well as targeted networking initiatives designed to ensure the event covers the entire technology spectrum.

Key exhibitors including Blackberry, Dell, Etisalat, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle Systems, Panasonic, Sharp and Symantec are among the major names that have committed to the week.

To support the show's focus on high-level business development and strategic alliances, Gitex Technology Week global conference has expanded its programme to include an impressive 35 tracks of interactive discussion, featuring some of the world's leading industry experts on new generation technology.

Some of the leading experts in the field of IT will be speaking at the event, including the chief information officer of the multi billion dollar Aluminium firm, Dubai, Ahmad Alumulla; Tariq Y. Elsadik, chief information officer at Abu Dhabi based conglomerate Al Fahim; Fadi Hindi, head of IT Planning and Enterprise Architecture for Dubai Customs and John Fitzgerald, CEO, Beyond Encryption Technologies.

In addition, the week will present the exclusive Gitex Majlis, an executive business programme for CEOs and senior business professionals providing a networking forum, executive lounge and preferred priority seating at seminars, workshops and keynotes.