GITEX Technology Week begins in Dubai

Our Correspondent

The 40th edition of GITEX Technology Week opened at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on December 6. Featuring over 1,200 innovative tech enterprises, start-ups and government entities from more than 60 countries, over 200 of the most active investors and venture capitalists from 30 countries, and over 350 speakers from 30 countries, the 2020 edition of GITEX is the only major in-person technology event to go live this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event follows strict precautionary protocols to ensure the safety of all exhibitors, visitors and participants.

GITEX Technology Week is being held from December 6-10.

Crown Prince of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the event. He said: “By hosting the world’s only live global technology event in 2020, Dubai and the UAE have demonstrated global leadership in accelerating economic recovery…. With its strong management of the pandemic and comprehensive precautionary measures, the international technology community considers Dubai as one of the safest destinations to host global events of this magnitude.”

The Crown Prince stated that the organisation of GITEX Technology Week this year is one of a series of initiatives Dubai is taking to inject confidence back into vital sectors both regionally and internationally. The event will see Dubai reinforcing its role as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration in the technology industry, he added.

GITEX is hosting the pavilions of several technologically innovative nations such as Japan, USA, UK, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, France, Hong Kong, Poland, Romania, Russia and Nigeria as well as that of regional friends like Saudi Arabia, Israel and Bahrain. Pavilions of leading international companies like Microsoft, Avaya, Huawei, Aspire and Kaspersky, and pavilions of the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Ajman governments are some of the attractions. Local companies that have pavilions include Dubai Internet City, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Dubai Electronic Security Centre, Dubai Commercity, du and Etisalat.

The UAE government entities are showcasing their digital and smart transformation initiatives to enhance the nation’s preparedness for the next 50 years. The entities are also seeking to highlight their infrastructure, talent and readiness to embrace future technologies that form part of their sustainable development strategies. GITEX this year has attracted the participation of 90 local and international government entities.

The world’s technology giants participating in GITEX are displaying some of the most advanced, transformative and strategically important technological innovations in artificial intelligence, 5G, future mobility, security and blockchain.

DHA in collaboration with Smart Dubai launched a state-of-the-art fully automated paperless Drugs and Medical Supplies Management System known as Tarmeez making it the first government entity in the region to implement this international standard. The system provides DHA medical staff across hospitals, primary and specialised health centres with an electronic catalog of all the items available. It offers a central dashboard for inventory and supply chain KPI details.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) shed light on its initiative to link the National Ambulance with hospital emergency departments to have instant and effective access to patients’ data and records and to activate an early warning system. The new initiative would help reduce waiting times and provide on-time treatment services, with optimal use of resources.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company’s (EITC) du revealed that two state-of-the-art data centres will officially open in Q1 2021 to support UAE government and financial organizations seeking to outsource their data centre requirements through a managed service provider. Both establishments will provide high-performance connectivity and computing power when operational, delivering value through competitively priced ICT services.

Dubai Customs showcases 12 innovative blockchain and AI-based projects, along with “the most advanced inspection equipment”.

The Microsoft Hub at Gitex offers an opportunity to experience technological innovations, initiatives, and products, which shape the future for business. A central Microsoft showcase is AI solution Azure FarmBeats, which enables data-driven farming to maximize agricultural output.

Other interesting exhibits were Spot, the robot dog from engineering company Boston Dynamics at the DEWA Official stand. Spot is not a house pet or a toy for entertainment but a four-legged robot that can walk up to three miles per hour, climb terrain, avoid obstacles, see 360 degrees and perform a number of programmed tasks. Though Spot debuted in 2015, it became available commercially for a price is $74,500 recently.

Hyundai and Uber unveiled the future flying car concept at the Etisalat pavilion on the opening day. The full scale, all-electric S-A1 is on display at Etisalat’s booth, along with a virtual reality zone that illustrates how Hyundai Motor Group’s Urban Air Mobility vision will help reduce passenger commute times and relieve congested ground transportation.

Admission to GITEX Technology Week is by advance online registration only. There will be no on-site registration, ticket sales or badge issuance. There is free visitor parking throughout GITEX. More information can be obtained on Gitex and Gitex.