The 31st edition of the Gitex Technology Week, the leading ICT event in the Gulf region's calendar, was officially opened on Monday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

More than 3,500 companies from 57 countries, including 40 from India, are participating in the week-long event. The event will showcase first-time appearances from Kazakhstan, Latvia, Malta, Morocco, Palestine and new national pavilions from Bangladesh, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Scotland and Spain are showcasing their latest products and services to more than 130,000 visitors at the five-day event.

In order to assist Indian ICT exporters in diversifying and expanding their global base, the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) is participating in a big way at GITEX.

"GITEX is the largest and the most impressive ICT event of its kind in West Asia and is now ranked as one of the top three ICT exhibitions in the world. Naturally, India has a great stake in the booming West Asia, Africa, Asia region and European markets, for which Dubai is the gateway," ESC Regional Director, West Asia, Kamal Vachani said.

"Thus, the event provides the participating Indian ICT companies opportunities for scouting the expanding, burgeoning West Asia market," he added.

Participating Indian companies under ESC's banner have reportedly bagged significant businesses and formed joint venture and marketing tie-ups. As many as 40 Indian ICT companies are exhibiting at the India Pavilion, which indicates the growing interest of Indian companies in the West Asia region, ESC Executive Director DK Sareen said.

ICT products to be displayed at the India Pavilion include software, power supplies - invertors, UPSes, telecom cables, a range of telecom products and computer hardware products.

Electronics and computer software/services, including IT-enabled services have emerged as a strongest export sector from India, with exports worth an estimated $66.48 billion during the year 2010-11.

Software and ITes export accounts for $57 billion and electronics hardware exports are valued at around $8.86 billion.