DCG’s two-day IT trade fair provided an opportunity for participants and visitors to address issues in their businesses while simultaneously learning about ways to enhance operations.
Dubai Computer Group’s debut IT Trade fair brought together resellers, distributors and vendors on one platform to discuss and share trade experiences. The two-day event created a positive environment and was an opportunity for DCG board members to get to know one another and also showcase products. It enabled the 33 exhibitors to educate themselves in key issues within the channel such as controlling credit risk. The event also presented an occasion to gain consultancy services that could improve business decisions.
Inaugurating the event, Khalaf Al Otaiba, Chairman, DCG, said, “DCG team has done a fantastic job and I appreciate the outstanding efforts from the whole group. The event has turned out to be even better than what we expected. It is truly a great initiative and a step towards improving the business in Dubai. We want to create a platform to connect companies together, to create opportunities and enhance the image of Dubai and its neighbouring markets.”
Al Otaiba further added that DCG’s role is to create a healthy environment for all traders to enhance local business. With IT, being one of the industries that has endured low margins and high volumes, this is definitely a positive step. DCG had played a crucial role in getting the government to waive off the 5 percent customs duty issue, a few years ago. “This waive-off has enabled all traders to have more opportunities to import without paying. We want Dubai to continue to pioneer the industry within the region,” Al Otaiba added.
“The aim of the event was to not only exhibit,” said Shailendra Rughwani, President, DCG, “but to bring together best ethical business practices, to discourage infringement of registered products and enhance the name of Dubai as the best place to buy IT products and solutions. We are also looking at increasing DCG’s memberships.”
The event also featured product launches from vendors such as D-Link, Canon, BenQ, among others, at regular intervals, which was beneficial as the vendors were able to speak to all resellers owners at a single time in one place. The second day also saw the opportunity for participants to present their product and solutions, in an endeavour to understand and know the reseller community better.
One of the exhibitors, Mohammed Nassir, GM, Al Otaiba Technologies, said, “The event was very useful for meeting new customers and suppliers and was great for networking too. I wish it was on for at least one more day. A three-day event would have given us more time to network with customers and other resellers.” And this is something DCG plans to do in its next edition. What’s more, says Rughwani, this year due to space constraints, “We were unable to accommodate around eight companies as exhibitors. The IT trade fair in its next edition will most likely also cover a much larger space.”
Making it clear that the trade fair is not competing with shows such as Gitex, Vasant Menghani, Business Development Head, DCG and Owner and CEO, Quality Group said, “Our event is a unique concept, we don’t aim to only showcase the products but also enhance the growth. We are giving exhibitors and visitors an opportunity to have consultancy services regarding any issues they are facing in businesses. Brand can come and show case their product, so the reach is immediate and effective.”
A DCG board member and one of the exhibitors, Ashok Kumar, Managing Director, New Trend, said, “It was a good experience. Being a board-member, we have all spent a lot of time and efforts to plan these initiatives. It is not a one-man show, it is a group effort and we are proud that it has gone so well.”
Ahmed Saood, Founder and CEO, Mass Climb was one of the speakers at the event who presented on ‘Raising the core competency level of business in meeting the challenges of tomorrow’. Talking about the event, he said, “It was a great initiative by DCG, although it might take time for the event to have a wider reach and garner more strength for the association. But within two or three years, this event may go to different countries as well, because the people behind the event are visionaries, which is important.”
On a concluding note, DCG Chairman, Al Otaiba, urged the channel to think about profitability and become a positive member within the IT industry.
“DCG’s role is to support and help and definitely create an environment, which can help all companies to grow positively,” he added.
