News
GITEX 2014 DRIVES REGIONAL ICT INDUSTRY TO NEW HEIGHTS
By Editor

34th Edition of top regional ICT showcase features packed line-up of product launches, smart innovations, conferences, education platforms and industry events
The curtain finally came down on GITEX Technology Week 2014, ending five days of futuristic product launches, progressive conferences and a series of engaging education forums, industry briefings and exhibitor networking events which delivered demonstrable ROI for more than 100,000 visitors from 150 countries.
With market research company Gartner anticipating a growth rate of eight per cent in regional ICT spending this year – compared with global growth of just 2.1 per cent – more than 3,700 exhibitors from 61 countries leveraged the 34th edition of the largest ICT event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) to showcase cutting-edge solutions, services and products, and share transformational developments across the show’s four knowledge themes: Smart, Cloud, Big Data and Mobility.
“GITEX is unique in this region; there is no other event that gives us the opportunity to meet with peers, competitors, customers and partners – it’s been very busy this year and non-stop for us,” said Saaed Agha, General Manager, Middle East, Palo Alto Networks. “It’s our second year at GITEX; we want to be sending a statement to our customers and our partners that we’re here and we’re investing in the region. “
Leading international technology companies leveraged GITEX Technology Week to secure multi-million dirham deals and strategic partnerships with a host of regional private and public sector entities, while highlighting how cutting-edge products and innovations can drive regional Smart City and Smart Government initiatives. Heavyweight regional and international companies signing major deals and strategic agreements at the show included Cisco, Ericsson, Avaya, Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Dell, HP, Microsoft, Etisalat and du.
“STC is going through a major transformation in ICT and GITEX is the best place to connect and network with customers,’’ said Dr. Tarig Mohammed Enaya, Senior VP Enterprise Business Unit, STC, which extended its long-standing partnership with Ericsson to transform, expand and upgrade its network in Saudi Arabia, while also announcing the launch of Manchester United Television (MUTV) in the Kingdom.
“GITEX Technology Week has hosted an outstanding line-up of conferences and events to drive regiona technology adoption and provide thought leadership for the region’s ICT industry,’’ said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the show organiser. “We’ve witnessed a bumper amount of strategic deals for both global brands and local technology leaders, and delivered an excellent turnout of high-quality visitors which has created strong, demonstrable ROI for all our attendees. GITEX is now woven into the innovative fabric of the ICT industry – both regionally and globally.’’
Away from the bumper deals and partnerships, highlights of GITEX Technology Week 2014 included the second annual Cloud Awards, which recognised the most innovative, cutting-edge implementations of Cloud technology in the region; the return of the Big Data Conference, which featured an international panel of industry thought-leaders, and a series of tailored Industry Briefings, which delivered intensive knowledge-sharing and networking for C-level executives in key industry verticals including banking and finance, retail, government and healthcare.
With a 53-screen network across the show-floor – plus daily coverage through the GITEX Live Blog – GITEX TV emerged as the show’s principal broadcast medium. The dedicated in-house TV format featured breaking news, exhibitor interviews, live twitter feeds, exciting innovations from the exhibition floor and edited daily highlights programmes.
New features at GITEX Technology Week 2014 included one of the most expansive and diverse smart technology experiences ever assembled at an international ICT trade show. The Smart engagement began with a seamless and paperless registration, check-in and payment process – just one aspect of a new ‘On Track for the Smart Experience’ initiative run in conjunction with Etisalat, the show’s Official Smart Experience Partner.
Designed to evolve the overall attendee journey by integrating the latest ICT innovations such as smart networking and interactive navigation and marketing powered through the enhanced GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK App, ‘On Track for the Smart Experience’ gave visitors more power and freedom to navigate the show floor, connect with exhibitors and fellow attendees, manage daily calendars, find conferences and workshops, and even win a brand-new first Lincoln MKC from the show’s Official Smart Car Partner.
Other new features inside the 1,100,000 square feet show included live blogs in English & Arabic, strategically-placed advanced Bluetooth technology-enabled iBeacons and interactive way-finding touch screens.
“Every year we see GITEX getting better than ever before in terms of structure, organisation, services, the space itself and the quality of visitors,’’ said Alaa Alshimy, VP Enterprise Group and MD, MENA, HP. “GITEX is the biggest forum for IT in this part of the world and we are very glad and honoured to be here every single year.”
Finally, GITEX Technology Week’s positioning as a strategic gateway into the growing Middle East and African ICT market was reflected by the choice of Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy, population and high-growth ICT market – as the show’s Official Country Partner. Nigeria, which has 120 million mobile users and 87 per cent mobile penetration by population according to IDC, used GITEX Technology Week to attract foreign investment into its ICT infrastructure to support its rapidly expanding technology market.
Financial
Dhruva to Rebrand as Ryan Across the Middle East, Signaling Unified Global Brand
Dhruva will adopt the Ryan brand across the UAE and Saudi Arabia by the end of 2026, uniting the practice with Ryan’s global identity and international platform.
Dhruva, a leading tax consultancy firm in the Middle East, and Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, today announced that Dhruva will transition to the Ryan brand across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The rebranding will be completed by the end of 2026, bringing the practice under Ryan’s global identity and reinforcing its position as part of the world’s leading global-scale specialist in business tax.
The transition marks the next phase of the strategic joint venture announced in 2025 and reflects the continued integration of Dhruva’s regional capabilities with Ryan’s global platform, technology, and international resources. Clients across the Middle East will continue to benefit from the same trusted advisory teams, enhanced by access to Ryan’s worldwide expertise and service capabilities.
“The Middle East has been a strategic growth market for us for many years, and we have built a strong advisory practice founded on deep client relationships, technical excellence, and local market understanding,” said Dinesh Kanabar, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Dhruva Advisors and Vice Chairman, Ryan.
“The transition to the Ryan brand marks a significant milestone in our journey and reflects the strength of our partnership. By combining our regional expertise with Ryan’s global scale, technology, and international capabilities, we are creating an even stronger platform to support clients across the region as they navigate an increasingly dynamic and evolving tax landscape.”
“The Middle East is one of the most important growth markets for tax advisory services globally, and we are investing in the region with a long-term view,” said Tom Shave, President of Ryan’s European and Asia-Pacific Operations. “Uniting under the Ryan brand strengthens how we serve clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Europe—bringing seamless access to our global expertise, technology, and international resources through one trusted platform. This transition marks an important milestone in our integration and reinforces our commitment to the region’s future.”
Ryan will continue to invest in its Middle East operations, expanding its team, capabilities, and regional presence across key markets, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. The practice provides comprehensive tax advisory services spanning corporate tax, value-added tax (VAT) and indirect tax, transfer pricing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) tax structuring, research and development (R&D), and cross-border compliance.
“The response from our clients over the past year has been the clearest validation of this partnership,” said Nimish Goel, Leader, Middle East, Dhruva, a Ryan Affiliate. “From the outset, our teams have been integrating Ryan’s global capabilities in technology, specialized expertise, and best practices into the work we already lead in the region. Adopting the Ryan brand is the natural next step. It is the same people and the same trusted relationships, now carrying the name of the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes.”
The rebranding will be implemented in phases during the second half of 2026, with signage, visual identity, and digital properties transitioning to the Ryan brand across the region.
News
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”), together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.
Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.
The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.
Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”
Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”
The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.
News
Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner
Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.
In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.
DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”
Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.
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