Analysts Examine Key IT Trends At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

Governments in the Middle East & Africa will spend US $11.9 billion on IT products and services in 2014, an increase of 2.3 percent over 2013 revenue of US $ 11.7 billion, according to Gartner, Inc. This forecast includes internal IT (including personnel), hardware, software, external IT services and telecommunications. Government comprises local and regional government and national and international government.

• Analysts Attribute Spending Increase To The Expansion Strategy Of Banks And Modernization Projects
• Analysts Will Examine Key Trends In the Banking Industry At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

Kenya's transition to a green economy could produce major economic benefits – equivalent to an estimated USD 45 billion by 2030 – as well as greater food security, a cleaner environment and higher productivity of natural resources, according to a new study launched Tuesday by the Government of Kenya and the UN Environment Programme.

The Green Economy Assessment Report: Kenya finds that the transition to an inclusive, low emission , resource efficient green economy will result in stronger economic growth and increased wealth creation opportunities by 2021.

Analysts Will Examine Key IT Trends At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

Healthcare providers in the Middle East & Africa will spend US $2.8 billion on IT products and services in 2014, an increase of 2.8 percent over 2013 revenues, according to Gartner, Inc. This forecast includes spending by healthcare providers (includes hospitals and hospital systems, as well as ambulatory service and physicians' practices) on internal IT (including personnel), hardware, software, external IT services and telecommunications.

Growing  Use  of  Video  Walls  and  LEDs  is  Significantly  Contributing  to  Expansion  of  UAE  Digital  Signage  Market

Digital signage is a form of digital display witnessing increasing adoption in retail, transportation, hospitality and entertainment applications. The UAE is one of the major digital signage markets in the Middle East & Africa region, exhibiting double digit growth. The demand for digital signage has increased exponentially due to growing demand from hotels, shopping malls and hospitals. As the UAE would be hosting World Expo 2020, the demand for large screen display screens in malls, retail outlets, etc. is also witnessing a robust growth.

The forum focuses on increasing youth participation and economic diversification, considered the "Davos of the Middle East"

John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE participated in a panel discussion at the Jeddah Economic Forum, considered the "Davos of the Middle East." Mr. Bryant spoke during the main panel discussion about "Enabling links between investors and business."

The flagship UAE summit for sustainability, CSR Dubai 2014, will be opened by elected chairman Drs Daan Elffers, Founder and CEO of EMG. This was announced today by the organizers of the summit, the Institute for International Research in the Middle East.

Now in its 11th year, the conference has played a major role in shaping the evolution of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in the Middle East for more than a decade.

Growth rate exceeds twice WTO global trade forecast

With a new peak for non-oil foreign trade in 2013, Dubai's rising growth in foreign trade culminates with a volume of AED 1.329 trillion, achieving an AED 94 billion increase from the 2012 value which totalled AED 1.235 trillion.

Qatar's tight rental market has made it the most expensive country to live in the GCC, according to a comprehensive analysis on the cost of living in the region. The report has found that in a like-for-like comparison of seven measures, Qatar came out the most expensive overall, followed by the UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.

Analysts Will Examine Key Trends In Infrastructure And Operations At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

IT infrastructure spending, comprising storage, server, and enterprise networking equipment, in the Middle East and Africa is forecast to reach $3.47 billion, a 4.1 percent increase from 2013, according to Gartner, Inc.