ISLAMABAD: Representatives of Pakistani IT firms on Tuesday described the recently held GITEX GLOBAL tech exhibition in Dubai as a “great” platform for Pakistani companies to connect with global ones and sign memorandum of understandings (MoU) and partnership agreements with them.
The 43rd edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) GLOBAL was held in Dubai from Oct. 16-20, featuring over 6,000 exhibitors and at least 180,000 tech executives from 170 countries around the world. Serving as a leading platform for tech companies around the world, GITEX GLOBAL 2023 provided startups with the opportunity to unveil the latest developments and innovations in key economic sectors. This year’s theme focused on AI technology and its innovations.
Muhammad Zohaib Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) said over 80 Pakistani companies and startups participated in the event.
“GITEX was great, and this year Pakistan’s representation was the biggest among all countries,” Khan told Arab News. “Around 83 companies and startups had their stalls there along with more than 500 delegates, while top companies’ chairmen and chief executives participated in the event.”
Khan said over 27 companies participated under P@SHA’s banner, adding that some of them were taken by Ignite— a non-profit company owned by Pakistan’s government and managed by the IT ministry— while others participated in the event independently.
“Dozens of MoUs, agreements, and partnerships were signed with companies from all over the world,” Khan said.
Ignite spokesperson Nadeem Nasir said GITEX each year consistently offered a global perspective on IT, serving as a platform for ignite startups.
“Our startups have successfully forged meaningful connections with local and international investors, which have translated into valuable partnerships,” Nasir told Arab News.
On Oct. 16, Pakistan’s Caretaker IT Minister Umar Saif said Pakistan had “one of the largest exhibit lounges” at GITEX to showcase the country’s entrepreneurial potential.
“This year, Ignite showcased ten tech startups at its GITEX Expand North Star pavilion,” Nasir said.
Sajjad Syed, chairman of the Excellence Delivered (ExD) Group, a Lahore-based software development company, said GITEX provided exposure to both IT companies and customers.
“During the event, our international growth skyrocketed as we signed three contracts and six MoUs with companies mostly from Gulf countries,” Syed told Arab News. “We signed a contract with Experts Vision Consulting (EVC) which is a leading Saudi technology company, a contract with Bahraini company ThinkSmart and an Iraqi company to develop software for them.”
Nabeel Khayal, Founder of Gameotivity, an Islamabad-based startup that provides a secure and transparent marketplace for players to buy, sell, and trade games, also attended the global tech show.
“For Pakistani IT companies it is a great platform where they can get international recognition and can sit with international companies to find investors, sign agreements and partnerships,” he told Arab News.
Khayal said during the tech exhibition, Gameotivity had initiated and was now close to finalizing deals with two European companies relating to partnerships in the gaming industry.
Rozeena Saleha, founder of Kalam4Solutions (K4S) startup, said her first participation in GITEX left her company with a treasure trove of insights and takeaways that were set to shape the trajectory of their business.
“The event served as a powerful lens into the future, allowing us to glimpse the cutting-edge innovations and industry trends that will define the coming years,” she told Arab News. “K4S had a wonderful start by signing seven partnerships and three client deals during the event.”
