Latest news with #LohMirmand
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
AI ignites Southeast Asia's tech boom as Gitex Asia debuts in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, is on the cusp of a major technological and innovation boom, driven by the rapid expansion of its startup ecosystem and accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). According to global consultancy Kearney, AI alone is expected to contribute an additional US$1 trillion to the region's GDP by 2030, positioning it as a critical driver of long-term economic growth. As AI integration across industries intensifies, global investors are increasingly directing capital toward Southeast Asian markets—signalling confidence in the region's digital future. A pivotal platform supporting this momentum is Gitex Asia, the newly launched Asian edition of the globally recognised Gitex (Gulf Information Technology Exhibition) brand, which originated in Dubai. The inaugural edition was held in Singapore from April 23 to 25, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands, attracting over 700 tech companies and venture capital firms from more than 70 countries. The event marks Gitex's strategic expansion into Southeast Asia, aiming to tap into one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies. It serves as a key enabler of innovation, fostering cross-border collaborations, investment flows, and public-private partnerships essential for scaling tech solutions regionally and globally. Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president at Dubai World Trade Centre and chief executive officer of KAOUN International, emphasised the importance of strategic alliances in AI development. "AI cannot be developed or utilised in isolation. It requires public-private partnerships, but even more so, it demands cross-border, cross-continental, and cross-industry collaboration," she said at the launch of Gitex Asia x AI Everything Singapore here on Wednesday. She further noted that events like Gitex Asia are instrumental in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups scale globally, contributing to a more inclusive global tech ecosystem. "Our commitment is to continue expanding the global ecosystem, providing more opportunities for SMEs and startups to grow," she said. As Southeast Asia's largest platform for startups, accelerators, and investors, Gitex Asia enabled high-level discussions around strategic growth, including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and cross-sector collaborations. The event also spotlighted cutting-edge developments in key sectors such as cybersecurity, fintech, smart cities, green technology, healthtech, biotechnology, 5G and telecommunications - underscoring the breadth of innovation reshaping the regional economy. LohMirmand concluded that Gitex Asia is not merely a technology showcase - it is a strategic platform for fostering regional leadership and driving meaningful transformation across the global digital economy.
Morocco World
04-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
GITEX Africa 2025: Tech Fair For Key Players in Digital Economy
Morocco is gearing up to host the third edition of GITEX Africa in Marrakech from 14 to 16 April in a mega tech fest that aims to position the country and the biggest continent in the world at the forefront of the global digital shift. The Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition, in partnership with the Emirati group Kanoun, the main partner for GITEX Africa Morocco, organized a press conference today in Rabat to officially announce the fast-approaching event. GITEX is organised by the Digital Development Agency (ADD) in partnership with KAOUN International and is held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. Speaking to Morocco World News, Mohamed Drissi Melyani, Director General of the ADD, said that GITEX Africa had 'positioned Morocco and Africa as a global digital hub' in less than two years. The Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition, in partnership with the Emirati group Kanoun, the main partner for Gitex Africa Morocco The event will bring together startups, investors, governments, and industry experts to discuss digital innovation and development. 'This exhibition is now a platform for building a connected and innovative digital Africa,' said Melyani. According to the organisers, this year's edition will host 1,400 startups, up from 400 in its first edition. Delegates from more than 32 countries and over 600 public institutions are expected to attend. Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, said the event reflects Morocco's growing role in digital transformation. 'We will welcome representatives from Arab countries, African nations and the Moroccan diaspora,' she said. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, said the event reflects Morocco's growing role in digital transformation The agenda includes panel discussions, masterclasses, and demonstrations of digital tools aimed at modernising public administration. Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: 'If you examine the global digital economy, you'll find that technology is its principal driver. Digitisation is now omnipresent –AI is in everything.' LohMirmand described the event as 'the largest, most influential platform on the continent for knowledge-sharing, for collaboration, and for reimagining the future.' LohMirmand described the event as 'the largest, most influential platform on the continent for knowledge-sharing, for collaboration, and for reimagining the future.' She added that Morocco's Digital Strategy 2030 sets ambitious targets, including the creation of 240,000 jobs, training for 100,000 youths, and launching 3,000 startups. Visitors at GITEX will have a chance to explore the latest innovations in tech and attend talks where insiders and tycoons will bounce bold ideas off each other to push Africa to a new digital era. The organisers hope GITEX Africa will help drive progress towards these goals by encouraging innovation and investment in the digital sector.
Khaleej Times
11-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Gulfood to be held at two locations next year
Next year's edition of the world's largest food exhibition Gulfood 2026 will be held at two venues – Dubai World Trade Centre and the new Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. The decision to host an exhibition at the two venues has been taken to meet the increasing demand for more space from exhibitors. An email sent out by Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre, said that the 31st edition of Gulfood will run simultaneously at the two locations from January 26 to 30, 2026. 'The twin venues shall provide us with a new capacity to further grow the event to meet the increasing space demand and importantly the opportunity finally for Gulfood to include new sectors offering tremendous value-add to all participants, expanding the food trade and innovation ecosystem necessary to boost the advancement of the global food industry,' LohMirmand said in her email. She added that the world's largest annual food show shall now generate even more stratospheric trade volumes and phenomenal transactions. Last year, the Dubai government announced the $2.75 billion expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City, transforming it into the largest purpose-built indoor events venue in the region. Gulfood is among the largest exhibitions that are hosted in Dubai, attracting thousands of exhibitors and visitors every year. The 30th edition of Gulfood will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from February 17 to 21 where 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries will showcase one million-plus new products and innovations across 24 enormous halls and 8 distinct F&B sectors. The mega-event will also assemble the global F&B community to find solutions to current challenges and discuss important future topics like AI-driven transformation, legislation, environmental concerns, logistics, health and wellbeing and food security. Gulfood will also host the inaugural Food500 - a brand-new strategic summit bringing together some of the most influential and sought-after global leaders in the F&B industry.
