Held under the patronage of HH Deputy Prime Minister

European and Asian companies confirmed their first participation

Business meetings between large participated ICT companies and decision makers from GCC governments

Monday, 9th March 2015

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain : Bahrain IT Expo 2015 Organizing Committee has confirmed the participation of new world-leading companies that are joining the expo for the first time. The exhibition, held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology, will kick-off on 17th March to continue for three days at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

The committee has established three large halls at the BIC's Paddock building so as to accommodate new types of activities and exhibit the latest smart services and solutions; which will be showcased by businesses, governmental entities, NGOs, and global companies. For the first time, an open designated platform will be available for exhibitors to expose their smart ideas and new projects in an aim to exchange knowledge of the most recent technology and benefit visitors with their technical expertise.

"The branding opportunity is still available for companies and entities to showcase their digital services and products. I urge businesses to network with other stakeholders form various countries," stated Head of Sponsorship & Exhibition Committee Mr. Ahmed Naeemi - Representative of Project Management Institute - Bahrain's Chapter.

"This year's version provides a dynamic and forward-looking platform for future trends and a vast space to bring together ICT-leading companies, private and public sector entities, experts,  clients and partners. The event aims to encourage innovation, SMEs as well as youth to utilize technology in order to develop thorough learning experiences so as to promote Bahrain's position as a digital hub and support the national economy," continued Mr. Naeemi.

"The expo will also inspire transformation to smart city technologies through partnerships  and business agreements with global ICT market leaders," he said.

"This year, major industry players have joined for the first time which will enrich the exhibits. To date, nine international companies have confirmed their participation in the event. Likewise, the European Union and the National Association of Software and Services Company (NASSCOM) will participate for the first time this year.

As part of the new activities, business meetings between large participated ICT companies and decision makers from GCC governments, over the three days.

Remarkably, the Organizing Committee has been keen on offering youth a greater role this year as such platforms constitute an opportunity to build capacity and proactive thinking as well as promote technology-infused experiences for institutions and community at large. Since the IT Expo event attracts professionals and decision-makers, it provides youth an opportunity to interpret their aspirations, acquire IT knowledge to improve performance and develop community's lifestyle.

"Technology Corner is one the new additions of this year's expo. It is an area dedicated to showcase youth's smart ideas which were formed into creative projects for the benefit of organizations and companies," stated Head of Expo Activities & Events Committee Mr. Othman AlKhan AlAbbasi - Chairman of YouthTech Society when revealing the new aspects in the upcoming expo.

"The expo also holds an allocated space for smart games, entitled 'Gaming Center' which are based on advanced technology and innovation. The eGame Space will cast interest and convey a message that all large products of smart city were originally electronic games before applying gamification and innovation design thinking to come-up with products that are useful for every community sector," added Mr. AlAbbasi.

Mr. AlAbbasi directed invitations to all government entities and community segments, particularly youth - to become part of the event in order to keep abreast with new trends and technology for the welfare of the society.

"Young Bahrainis have passion in technology, genuine and innovative achievements inside and outside Bahrain. We expect an active participation during the event of this important society segment as we see it as a chance to improve their skills. It also achieves our objective of transferring society members into creators of information, not mere users of technology. This is possible through direct interaction with experts, exhibitors and visitors - to enable Bahrain and the GCC region to become an innovation hub," he added.

The IT Expo runs concurrently with eight workshops organized by the eGovernment Authority as part of Bahrain International eGovernment International Forum 2015; in collaboration with Bahrain Society of Engineers, Project Management Institute - Bahrain's Chapter, and YouthTech Society.

For registration or participation; please visit event's website www.itexpo.bh, call the National Contact Center on 8000 8001, or via the email address: info@itexpo.bh. For further information on the event's latest developments, please follow its social media channels #ITExpo.

-Ends-

About eGovernment Authority
The eGovernment Authority (eGA) was established in August 2007 by Royal Decree No (69). Reporting to the Cabinet, the eGA is responsible for coordinating and executing eGovernment initiatives in line with the strategies, plans, and programs set by the Supreme Council for Information Communication Technology (SCICT), headed by H.H. Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The eGA's role entails everything from proposing overall policies and appropriate legislations to the SCICT for approval to overseeing the execution of the approved SCICT programs. This includes suggesting required IT programs, facilitating communications and services between all government entities, opening new eChannels for eGovernment services, and offering technical and knowledge-based support to the ministries and other government entities.

Currently, the eGA is working on executing the plans contained within Bahrain's eGovernment strategy to achieve the ambitious Bahraini eInitiatives, it offers over 300 governmental services electronically via various communication channels within 3 years to all citizens, residents, and businesses of Bahrain.

For further information, please contact:
Sahayer Ebrahim Al Hashimi
eGovernment Authority
Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel +973 17 388252
Fax: +973 17 388338
Email: salhashimi@ega.gov.bh

© Press Release 2015