Date:12/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/12/stories/2005011202050500.htm

Back Gitex floor space up 31 per cent

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Jan. 11

THE Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Andhra Pradesh Government have announced that the fourth essay of Gitex, the flagship IT event and concurrent Computer Shopper together have registered a 31 per cent increase in floor space over last year.

Addressing a press conference here today at the State Secretariat, the General Manager of DWTC, Ms Christina Nicholson, and the Principal Secretary (Information Technology and Communications), Dr J.C. Mohanty, said that the event had attracted several major corporations such as Microsoft, Benq, Siemens, Olympus, Acer, Brother along with host of Indian and MNC participants.

Dr Mohanty said: "the State Government had earlier announced that a 4 per cent sales tax exemption would be provided for the Computer Shopper. However, the issue of tax exemption was raised by the Chief Commercial Tax Officer as to how this would be passed on to the consumer. It is in the process of being sorted out and we expect the consumer will gain."

The eventto be held at Hitex International Exhibition Centre in Madhapur, from January 12-14, will concurrently have a Nasscom international meet on `animation' and yet another event organised by the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

"The gross floor space at the event has practically doubled while the net space has gone up from 1,088 square metres in 2004 to 1,426 square metres this year and we are still getting last minute inquiries. The response has been encouraging from both within India as well as strong representation from overseas", MsNicholson said.