The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in partnership with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai, UAE, is set to organize the Sri Lanka pavilion at GITEX Expand North Star, taking place from October 13 to 16, 2024.
This initiative will encompass various activities, including business meetings, networking sessions, and field visits across Dubai, aimed at highlighting Sri Lankan innovation and fostering international partnerships.
GITEX, recognized as one of the premier technology and engineering events in the MENA and Asian regions, has gained global acclaim for its expansive platform that draws visitors from around the world. Recently rebranded as GITEX Global, the event has extended its reach to Europe and Africa.
The EDB has a longstanding tradition of participating in GITEX, having organized the Sri Lankan country pavilion since 2008, with exceptions in 2013 and 2018. The 2023 edition attracted over 170,000 attendees and featured more than 6,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries, with 24 conference streams covering a diverse range of tech themes.
The 2024 GITEX event will spotlight nine key technology themes: AI, Telecom, Cybersecurity, Future Mobility, Coders/Developers, Metaverse, YouthX, Sustainability, and CTO World Congress. The event will take place across nine co-locations, including GITEX Global, AI Everything, GITEX Impact, Future Urbanism, GLOBAL Devslam, Expand North Star, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania. GITEX Global is scheduled for October 14 to 18, with co-located events running concurrently.
GITEX Expand North Star, an integral part of GITEX Global, stands as the world’s largest investor program, providing a unique platform for investors to expand their networks, explore cutting-edge technology trends, and connect with high-quality start-ups. The program will also facilitate matchmaking opportunities to link SMEs and start-ups with potential partners and investors.
For the first time, the EDB is spearheading Sri Lanka’s participation in GITEX Expand North Star, aiming to support ten SMEs/start-ups in this prestigious investor program. This initiative is designed to boost the visibility of Sri Lankan companies and assist their expansion into the international market.
In addition to the pavilion and business meetings at Dubai Harbour, where GITEX North Star is showcased, the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai, Sri Lankan Business Council in UAE, and Sri Lanka IT Professionals’ Association in the UAE are collaborating with the EDB to organize a comprehensive program. This includes a visit to the GITEX Global trade exhibition, participation in a one-day networking event, and visits to start-up incubators in Dubai to cultivate connections and business opportunities.
Through these initiatives, the EDB and its partners aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s emerging reputation as a hub for technological innovation and business on the global stage.
This year, ten Sri Lankan ICT companies/start-ups will participate in the GITEX Expand North Star event, including OMBO Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd, EVOLZA Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, Veracity Digital (Pvt.) Ltd, Intalent (Pvt.) Ltd, Azend Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd, Beta Launch (Pvt.) Ltd, Inivos Technology (Pvt.) Ltd, ELYSIAN CREST, EZYCODE (Pvt.) Ltd, and X-Venture Global Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd.