14 October 2001

Press Release

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed and Minister of Finance and Industry Sheikh Hamdan visit Palestinian Pavillion Opening at GITEX 2001

Sheikh Mohamed Ben Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Minister of Defence of UAE, and Sheikh Hamdan Ben Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, both visited the Palestinian Pavilion on the occasion of the opening at GITEX 2001.

They were greeted at the Pavilion by H.E. Mr. Maher Masri, Palestinian Minister of Trade who was visiting Dubai as the head of the Palestinian Delegation to GITEX 2001. H.E. Minister Masri welcomed both Sheikhs as they arrived at the Pavilion and presented them with gifts on behalf of the Palestinian Delegation, in appreciation of UAE’s support and goodwill toward Palestine.

Sheikh Mohammed said that he considered the Palestinian Participation very important and he assured the Palestinian Delegation that the focus on development of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the way to the future.

Sheikh Hamdan, UAE Minister of Finance, expressed his pleasure at the Palestinian Participation for the first time in GITEX, and wished good luck and success to the Delegation.

Mr Ibrahim Barham, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian IT Association of companies (PITA), briefed Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Hamdan about the Palestinian participation in GITEX 2001 and the significant progress of development of the IT sector in Palestine during the last years, in spite of a difficult situation.

GITEX 2001 marks the first time Palestine is participating as a national delegation in such an exhibition. The Palestinian delegation includes seven IT companies, showcasing a range of products and services, and is coordinated by sector representative PITA, as well as Paltrade (Palestine Trade Center). The event is expected to open new business opportunities for Palestinian companies, and to increase awareness of the potential of the developing Palestinian IT sector.

The Main Sponsor for the Palestinian participation is Andersen (previously Arthur Andersen) and the Islamic Bank is the Main Supporter through it’s Al-Aqsa Fund for Palestine. The Pavilion is also supported by Dubai Internet City (DIC) and the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), as evidence of Arab support and interest in the Palestinian IT sector.

Following the exciting opening to GITEX 2001 this morning, the Palestinian Pavilion looks forward to a busy exhibition and to developing increased contacts and partnerships in the region and internationally.

For more information on GITEX exhibitors, and IT sector facts and figures contact:

Amanda Scothern, Consultant, Ellam Tam for Communications & Public Relations

Ph: +970/2 2 2409105/7, mobile: +97/2 59 789 781, in Dubai (10-19 Oct): +971 50 585 9942

e-mail: amanda@ellamtam.com

Contact for comment:

Dr. Mashhour Abudaka (Executive Director, PITA)

Ph: +971 50 585 9788 e-mail: abudaka@pita-palestine.org

Dr. Samir Abdullah (General Director, Paltrade)

e-mail: sabdullah@paltrade.org

Omar Sahili (PITA Advisor & IT Sector Manager, DAI Inc.)

Ph: +971 50 585 9798 e-mail: Omar_Sahili@dai.com

Andersen, Main Sponsor

Islamic Development Bank,

Main Supporter