Gitex 2020: 40th version of the technology exhibition opens in Dubai

The 40th Gitex Technology Week opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, held under strict health protocols due to Covid-19.

The event this year hosts over 1,200 exhibitors, including over 300 startups, from over 60 countries. There are country pavilions from Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, France, Israel, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as a conference lineup of over 350 in-person speakers, who are flying into Dubai from 30 countries.

Technology experts are in town to share their vision of tomorrow, including maverick hacker, inventor and entrepreneur Pablos Holman and US Secret Service and FBI hacker Bryan Seely. Gitex’s conference agenda will be headlined by actor, writer, and comedian John Cleese.

Gitex this year serves as an umbrella for various technology shows, including Gitex Future Stars, the region’s largest tech startup event; GISEC cybersecurity conference and exhibition; Future Blockchain Summit, as well as the inaugural edition of Marketing Mania, a new platform for brand marketers.

Read: Gitex 2020: UAE to host Israeli tech delegation

Gitex 2020 also plays host to over 200 technology investors, including EBAN (Belgium), MODUS Capital (USA), 500 Startups (Egypt) and MENA Tech Fund (United Kingdom), while for the first time, Israel will bring 40 exhibiting companies across big tech, startups, cybersecurity, telecoms and mobility.

Gitex will also showcase the technological progress of a range of UAE Government entities including Smart Dubai, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the Abu Dhabi Government, Dubai Police and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. Also, the event will feature the presence of the Ajman Government, the Fujairah Government and the Ministry of Interior KSA.

“It is vital that the global technology industry now works together to build smart ways of working and living in the post-COVID world,” said Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre. “Gitex Technology Week has already built a stellar reputation over the past four decades as the definitive global platform of the greatest minds in technology, international business leaders in the industry and rising stars from the tech ecosystem.”