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IT sector poised for giant leap

Huge growth potential for 'packet technology'
With an estimated spending of $35 billion on Information Technology (IT) industry in the Middle East in 2006, IT sector has a huge potential of growth in the backdrop of arrival of cutting-edge technologies like 'packet technology' in the region.

Michael Lai, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian technology giant Green Packet International, said that the IT spending alone speaks volume of the existing growth potential in this sector.

He said that the year 2006 had witnessed a high yield from oil prices but in 2007 the income of MENA region from oil would reach at record levels would in fact spur the activity in IT and ICT development across the board.

Michael Lai, who sealed three strategic partnership agreements with Bahrain-based companies, said that he was optimistic about the outcome of the agreements signed with the local companies.

The Ambassador of Malaysia Naimun Mohammed Ashkali was present during the agreement signing ceremony. Three local companies signed agreements with Green Packet represented by Rashad Al Sanan from Etisalcom , Ebrahim Raees of Batec and Dr Khalid Janahi from Almuallim.

Michael said: "Bahrain being one of the leading telecom players was a natural choice when his company opened Middle East operations about eight months back. We will use Bahrain as a hub to reach the other destinations."

These partnership agreement, he said, are of paramount importance for Green Packet. "We will distribute our products and services by using the local partners. It and ICT as an industry are set to grow substantially this year in the wake of innovative technologies being introduced in the market including packet network. The cutting-edge packet network has been proved as an efficient, reliable and cost effective option for the banks and financial institutions in the Middle.

The CEO of Green Packet International, a leading broadband wireless technology provider and next generation mobile solutions developer, said that new technology would totally revolutionise the concept of broadband services in the Middle East. Bahrain, according to him, has a potential to become an ICT hub in future.

Highlighting the salient features of packet technology he said: "As we move forward voice, video and data are coming together or what we call triple play work. This triple play concept or technology has totally revolutionised the internet protocol (IP). It means it is more cost effective way of communicating with anyone at anywhere by implementing the green packet network. With rapid changes in the technology, the IP world is moving towards a personal world. We believe that broadband should be portable, mobile and personal with a target to offer broadband to everyone."

"This region has a huge growth potential for technology especially in broadband solutions. Bahrain, being the financial centre and strategically located country, has a special place for any global technology companies like GPN. We will use Bahrain as a base country to reach the largest economies in the region like Saudi Arabia."

Lai at the launch of the company operations in Bahrain told Bahrain Tribune that 'security' would continue to be a main concern for the banks and financial institutions. "We have answer to this solution as our technology offers seamless solutions to the local, regional and global clients in telecom and financial sectors."

Opened in February this year GPN Bahrain is a joint venture between Green Packet Berhad, a Malaysian-based technology company, and Saudi Economic and Development Co ., a Saudi-based investment company.

Green Packet Berhad is a leading global developer of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Network solutions, with sales offices in Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Sydney, Manila and Manama.

© Bahrain Tribune 2007