Gitex 2020: UAE to host Israeli tech delegation

The UAE will host the first Israeli technology delegation to the country at the upcoming 40th edition of Gitex Technology Week.

The first major global on-ground tech event of the year will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 6-10.

The Israel Export Institute (IEI), strategic country partner for Gitex, in partnership with Bank Hapoalim, will lead the delegation of Israeli government officials, entrepreneurs and business executives, reported Dubai Media Office.

Gitex will host the UAE-Israel Future Digital Economy Summit, jointly presented by DWTC and IEI, featuring a lineup of UAE government ministers and Israeli government and innovation leaders on December 7.

The summit will assemble specialists in AI, 5G, food security, fintech, future mobility, cybersecurity, healthcare and agritech.

“Organising this first-of-its kind summit at the 40th edition of Gitex Technology Week constitutes a major stepping stone in strengthening cooperation in the field of digital transformation and the future digital economy. It will contribute to expanding knowledge exchange between both countries and accelerate the implementation of innovative solutions and services based on future technologies,” said Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.

#UAE to host Israeli business, tech and investor delegation at 40th @GITEXTechWeek in #Dubaihttps://t.co/HaDNEd38ID pic.twitter.com/7RxYywmluJ

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 30, 2020

Some of the key participants in the summit include Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World and chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation; and Mohamed Alabbar, founder, Emaar Properties and noon.com.

The Israeli speakers at the summit will include Adiv Baruch, chairman of IEI; Yigal Unna, director general, Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD); and Dov Kotler, president and CEO of Bank Hapoalim.

“The participation of Israeli companies in the Gitex exhibition and in the Israeli delegation to Dubai is of great importance. The Ministry of Economy, together with the Foreign Trade Administration, is constantly working to create joint business opportunities,” said David Leffler, CEO, Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry.

Baruch, chairman of the IEI added: “This first and biggest tech- business delegation from Israel to the UAE is of high importance to the State of Israel, and we at the Israel Export Institute, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will continue efforts to create business opportunities in new markets.”

On December 8, the day after the summit, Gitex will host its first Gitex Future Stars Israel Innovation Discovery Day which will include technology leaders, investors and business leaders sharing insights on startup ecosystems.

With GITEX set to host over 200 active venture capital firms and investors from over 30 countries, including EBAN, MODUS Capital, 500 Startups and MENA Tech Fund, the Israeli delegation will include over 30 exhibiting companies including Digisense, Trackimo, Right Hear, Enroute and Foresight.

The Israel Innovation Discovery Day will feature a selection of investors and technology experts, including Hanan Brand, managing partner, Cornerstone Venture Partners and chairman, Made in Jerusalem, the non-profit community-based organisation that promotes and connects Jerusalem’s startup and tech ecosystem.

There will be over 1,200 participating enterprises and startups from over 60 countries at Gitex this year. Participants in the technology week will include Microsoft, Dell Technologies, du, and Etisalat, among others.