GITEX 2024 exhibition, one of the largest technology and innovation events in the Middle East, was held while the presence of companies and startups from all over the world attracted different views. In the meantime, Hakime Farizadeh, CEO of Mana Innovation Center, took a close look at the details and features of this exhibition and talked about the opportunities and challenges it brings for Iranian companies.
Gitex 2024 changes and developments
Hakime Farizadeh initially pointed out the improvements of GITEX 2024 compared to previous years and stated: “As a prestigious technology event, this exhibition is adapting to new global models.”
He emphasized: “One of the important features of Jitex this year was its differentiation in different sectors; In particular, the new division of this exhibition, such as separating the booths into two main sections and startups, made the presence of small and start-up teams next to larger companies a good opportunity for the development of the technology ecosystem.
The strengths and weaknesses of GITEX 2024
Farizadeh also talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the GITEX 2024 exhibition. According to him, one of the strong points of Jitex was more order and improvement of the overall structure of the exhibition compared to previous years. Also, the increase in the number of prestigious speakers and the holding of specialized meetings made this event a suitable place for learning and exchanging ideas among technology activists.
However, he stressed: “The main weaknesses in GITEX 2024 were more related to the level of depth of the exhibition and, in particular, the technical and technological content. “Gitex focused more on introducing companies and brands rather than providing full technical innovation.”
For example, he pointed out: “This year’s GITEX was expected to create an atmosphere with more technical content so that technology opportunities are exposed more than product displays.”
Solutions to improve the presence of Iranians in GITEX
Hakime Farizadeh also discussed the presence of Iranian teams in this event and said: “Although more than 4,000 Iranians attended GITEX 2024, unfortunately many of these teams have not been able to use this opportunity properly.”
He continued: “Some of the Iranian teams, which were only present in the side sections in the past years, have not been able to be displayed in exhibitions and important spaces this year. “Being a mere exhibitor or participant in fringe sectors cannot help companies achieve great success.”
The CEO of Mana Innovation Center suggested: “In order to improve the presence of Iranian teams in international exhibitions such as GITEX, it is necessary for the government and related institutions to provide more support for startups and consider specific programs for Iranian companies.”
He pointed out: “One of the main problems in this field is the lack of accurate performance indicators to measure the success of Iranian teams in these events. According to Farizadeh, if the presence of Iranian teams in GITEX is limited only to the exhibition and physical presence, this action will not help the growth of these teams.
The need to think about the global market
Hakime Farizadeh also pointed out that one of the most important challenges for Iranian startups is the limited view of the domestic market. According to him: “To be successful in events like Jitex, startups must shift their vision towards the global market and plan for it. Entering global markets and attracting capital from international sources can be the only way to save Iranian startups. This process should be facilitated from within the country with the cooperation of the government and the private sector.
Finally, Farizadeh had a positive outlook for the future of technology fairs in the region and GITEX in particular. He believes: “Gitex is expanding as a global brand and can provide more opportunities for Iranian teams in the near future.”
Farizadeh also advised the officials: “They should focus more on the development of startups and support them in global markets so that they can effectively take advantage of events like Jitex.”
This interview clearly shows that although GITEX 2024, with all its positive features, still brings challenges for Iranian companies, it has also provided unique opportunities for them to present themselves at the global level with proper planning and necessary support. do
RCO NEWS