Latest news with #TrixieLohMirmand
Arabian Business
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
GITEX expansion to Europe, Asia boosts Dubai's geoeconomic standing, says event chief
Dubai's flagship technology exhibition GITEX is expanding globally to position the UAE as a bridge between disparate tech ecosystems and enhance its geo-economic influence, the event's chief executive said. 'This geo-economic positioning is very powerful, and GITEX can definitely do a lot to position Dubai and the UAE at that intersection,' Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of Kaoun International and Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, told Arabian Business at the inaugural GITEX Europe in Berlin. She said the global expansion of GITEX beyond its Dubai origins serves a mission that extends far beyond traditional trade shows. 'At the end of the day, we carry the main mission and the vision of Dubai and the UAE,' she added. 'We are a platform that will influence, have good outcomes for as many countries and peoples of the world, as much as possible.' GITEX, which began in 1981 as a modest trade show in Dubai, has evolved into one of the world's largest technology events. The Dubai edition attracted 200,000 attendees from over 180 countries in 2024, with 6,500 exhibiting companies. The event has now launched international editions in Morocco, Singapore, Nigeria and Germany, with GITEX Europe making its debut in Berlin this week. LohMirmand said the decision to launch in Europe, and Berlin specifically, was driven by the region's strength in deep tech and scientific research. 'When it comes to innovation and especially deep tech, AI, Europe leads in its own capacity,' she said. 'In order to be able to innovate and invent frontier technologies that is going to really solve some of the world's toughest challenges, you need to leverage deep research.' The Berlin launch followed two years of discussions with the German state government, she said. 'There was great interest from them, because they have heard how GITEX has evolved, sustained and thrive and has become that global ecosystem builder,' LohMirmand said. She described Berlin as an attractive venue due to its multicultural nature, similar to Dubai, and its position as Germany's capital where policy influence is possible. 'The ability to be able to co-create regulations the way forward' makes Berlin strategically important, she said. LohMirmand positioned GITEX's expansion as reflecting broader UAE ambitions, comparing it to the country's AI strategy which involves multiple international agreements. 'GITEX mirrors what the UAE ventures in AI. It has got multiple agreements with so many different countries, from very established nations to emerging economies,' she said, adding that the event's expansion serve to 'enlarge global ecosystems' rather than simply create events. 'With AI growing at the blistering pace, you can't not be connected with the global – and very disparate – ecosystem,' she said.
Tahawul Tech
30-04-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Reigniting the European Digital Economy
With landmark initiatives announced to forge new frontiers in Europe's digital sovereignty, including the €200bn AI pledge and unprecedented emphasis on quantum, cloud, semiconductors and data storage, a sense of urgency is sweeping across the continent to reimagine the status quo and reshape critical tech infrastructures. Perfectly timed to harness Europe's inherent innovation prowess and catapult its position among leading digital economies is GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything (21-23 May, Messe Berlin). The world's third largest economy and host nation for GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything, Germany's role as the European economic and technology chieftain comes into sharp focus, as transatlantic tensions ramp up in the race for global digital and AI leadership. Germany's ICT sector is projected to reach €232.8bn in 2025 (Statista). GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything, now emerging as Europe's largest inaugural tech, startup and digital investment event, is organised by KAOUN International and hosted in partnership with the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, and the European Innovation Council (EIC). Franziska Giffey, Mayor of Berlin and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises said: 'Partnering with one of the largest tech and startup global events and hosting the debut of GITEX EUROPE in Berlin strengthens our commitment to solidifying Germany's position as a global magnet for investment and frontier-pushing technologies, spearheading Europe's edge in the next digital decade.' Global Tech Openly Engages for Cross-Border, Cross-Industry Partnerships The momentous first edition brings together over 1,400 big tech enterprises, startups and SMEs, including platinum sponsors AWS and IBM, alongside Cisco, Cloudflare, Dell, Fortinet, Lenovo, NTT, Nutanix, Nvidia, Opswat, and SAP, to forge consensus in new partnerships and business outcomes for more agile, business-friendly, and responsible global digital systems. GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything shall present the most global tech and startup event with a sterling lineup of tech companies from over 100 countries and 34 European states, including tech pavilions from India, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, South Korea, UK, UAE, and more. Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, organiser of GITEX Worldwide, shared: 'Amid the AI whirlwinds, there is a coordinated consensus and renewed urgency and unity across Europe to assert its digital sovereignty and leadership as a global innovation force. The region is paving its way as a centre-stage where AI, quantum and deep tech supremacy will be debated, developed, and scaled, and GITEX EUROPE strategically hosted in this vantage nexus and watershed time in history shall define Europe's technological future in an epoch where leadership is earned through bold action and solidarity'. Influential Global Leaders Address EU's Critical Tech Crossroads Over 500 global speakers – nearly half addressing the tech community for the first time on a German tech stage – debate the new strategic priorities, from AI and quantum supremacy to cloud and data sovereignty. Among the global headliners are Geoffrey Hinton, Physics Nobel Laureate (2024), 'Godfather of AI', and the neural network pioneer who sparked worldwide debate by questioning AI consequences; Kai Wegner, Mayor of Berlin; H.E. Jelena Begović, Serbian Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation; António Henriques, CEO, Bison Bank; Jager McConnell, CEO, Crunchbase; Mark Surman, President, Mozilla; and Sandro Gianella, Head of Europe & Middle East Policy & Partnerships, OpenAI. Europe's Boldest Moves in AI, Deep Tech & Quantum Europe is building its own AI frontier, focused on cross-sector use-cases, new investments and international partnerships. Ai Everything Europe, the event's flagship AI showcase and conference, brings together one of the biggest convergences of AI architects, startups and investors presenting the full scale, depth and global influence of AI ecosystems. Influential AI experts address the sector's most urgent topics on-stage, from EuroStack ambitions to tangible implications of agentic AI, with speakers including Martin Kon, President and COO, Cohere, the $5.5bn Canadian AI unicorn; Daniel Verten, Strategy Partner, Synthesia, $2.1bn UK-based unicorn backed by Nvidia; and Prof. Dr. Antonio Krueger, CEO of German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). Across the show-floor, diverse AI breakthroughs come to life, from Brazil's Ubivis presenting smart factories powered by IoT and Digital Twins to Hexis' AI-driven nutrition trusted by 500+ Olympic and elite athletes. With nearly €7 billion in quantum investment, second only to China, Europe is accelerating its push for quantum leadership by 2030. GITEX Quantum Expo (GQX), in partnership with IBM and QuIC – Europe's largest quantum industry association, dives into advanced quantum research and cross-industry impact with exclusive showcases and conferences. Speakers include Mira Wolf-Bauwens, Responsible Quantum Computing Lead, IBM Research, Switzerland; Joachim Mnich, Director of Research & Computing, CERN, Switzerland; Neil Abroug, Head of the French National Quantum Strategy, INRIA; and Jan Goetz, CEO & Co-Founder, IQM Quantum Computers, Finland. Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow, Vice President Europe and Africa and Director IBM Research Zurich said: 'IBM's investments in AI and quantum computing directly reflect our commitment to Europe, and underscore the key role of collaboration with industry, academia and policymakers for a pan-European ecosystem. These state-of-the-art technologies and facilities will foster innovation, creating new opportunities for talent attraction and ensuring that Europe will always be at the forefront of global technological advancements'. Cyber Valley: Building A United Resilient Cyber Frontline With cloud breaches doubling and AI-driven attacks complicating the equation, threat response and cyber resilience is a core focus at the event. Fortinet, CrowdStrike, Kaspersky, Knowbe4, Proofpoint join a host of leading cyber companies exhibiting at GITEX Cyber Valley, alongside law enforcement leaders, global CISOs, and policymakers on-stage, including Brig. Gen. Dr. Volker Pötzsch, Chief of Division Cyber/IT & AI, Federal Ministry of Defence, Germany; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government; Miguel De Bruycker, Managing Director General, Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium; and Ugo Vignolo Lutati, Group CISO, Prada Group. GITEX Green Impact: Advancing Climate Imperatives for a Sustainable Future GITEX Green Impact connects the real accelerators of the green transition – innovators and investors – with over 100 startups and investors exploring how green hydrogen, bioenergy, and next-gen energy storage are moving from R&D to deployment. Key speakers are Gavin Towler, Chief Scientist for Sustainability Technologies & CTO, Honeywell; Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Airbus; Lisa Reehten, Managing Director, Bosch Climate Solutions; Massimo Falcioni, Chief Competitiveness Officer, Abu Dhabi Investment Office; and Mounir Benaija, CTO – EV & Charging Infrastructure, TotalEnergies. Convening the Largest and Best Global Startup Ecosystem Amongst 60+ Nations GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything launches North Star Europe, the debut edition of the world's largest startup event (Expand North Star), gathering over 750 startups and 20 global unicorns – Qonto, Flutterwave, reMarkable, TransferMate, Solarisbank AG, Bolt, Flix, and Glovo. The event features a curated international collection of early and growth-stage startups from Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, UK, UAE and more. Among the top startups, (Netherlands) advancing AI-powered neurotech for Alzheimer's research, CloudBees (Switzerland) – the delivery unicorn backed by Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and Lightspeed, and Semiqon (Finland), the world's first CMOS transistor with the ability to perform in cryogenic conditions. Scouting new funding opportunities will be over 600 investors with $1tn assets under management (AUM), including Germany's Earlybird VC, Austria's SpeedInvest, Switzerland's B2Venture, Estonia's Startup Wise Guys, and USA's SOSV. GITEX ScaleX launches as a first-of-its-kind growth platform for scale-ups and late-stage companies, in partnership with AWS. With SMEs making up 99% of European businesses, GITEX SMEDEX connects SMEs with international trade networks and investors, for funding, legal advisory and market access to scale innovations globally. Backed by EISMEA and ICC Digital Standards Initiative, the event features key SME ecosystem leaders advising on stage, including Milena Stoycheva, Chairperson of Board of Innovation, Ministry of Innovation and Growth, Bulgaria; and Oliver Grün, President, European Digital SME Alliance and BITMi; among others. GITEX EUROPE is part of the GITEX global network tech and startup events, taking place in Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE. For more information, please visit: Image Credit: GITEX Worldwide
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.
TECHx
25-04-2025
- Business
- TECHx
GITEX Asia Debuts in Singapore with Global Impact
More than 700 companies and startups from over 70 countries are participating in GITEX Asia x Ai Everything Singapore. The event features 400+ expert speakers and 250+ investors managing US$200 billion in assets. Under the theme 'Advancing Bold Partnerships in Asia' , the event focuses on digital investments, emerging technologies, and cross-border collaboration. It aims to create new opportunities across tech ecosystems and fast-growing markets. Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of DWTC and CEO of KAOUN International, said the goal is to connect global ecosystems. She highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating progress in the AI-driven economy. Cybersecurity took a leading role on day one. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, emphasized building a security culture that extends across nations and sectors. He stressed the need to protect digital economies against growing cyber threats. Ahmed AlKetbi, Deputy Ambassador at the UAE Embassy in Singapore, noted the strong UAE–Singapore trade relationship, valued at S$24 billion. He reinforced the importance of cooperation in achieving shared economic goals. David Koh, Chief Executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, spoke on regional resilience. He urged collaboration on cybersecurity standards and responsible digital behavior to navigate global challenges. Healthcare innovation was also in focus. With projections showing Asia's healthcare market reaching US$5 trillion by 2030, AI-driven diagnostics and digital health solutions were discussed. Datuk Dr. Kuljit Singh of Malaysia's Association of Private Hospitals called for ethical frameworks and patient safety in health tech. GITEX Asia continues with deep dives into AI, smart cities, biotech, and quantum computing. The show also features North Star Asia and GITEX Quantum Expo Asia, driving startup growth and tech transformation. For full event details, visit
Channel Post MEA
24-04-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
GITEX Expands to Vietnam
Vietnam is poised to become a key player in the global tech sector as GITEX Vietnam 2026 makes its debut in Hanoi from October 1 to 2, 2026. The move marks a major expansion of the world-renowned GITEX brand, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International, in partnership with Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC). Facilitated by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, this strategic partnership aligns with Vietnam's vision of building a US$200 billion digital economy by 2030. GITEX Vietnam will serve as a headline event during Vietnam's National Innovation Week, attracting global attention to its thriving innovation ecosystem. The announcement, made during GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore, follows a significant declaration between Vietnam and the UAE to strengthen economic ties through a potential CEPA agreement. Trixie LohMirmand, DWTC Executive VP and KAOUN International CEO, called the launch 'a watershed moment' in Vietnam's digital journey. She emphasised GITEX's role in connecting Vietnam's talent, policy, and innovation with global markets, unlocking new public-private collaborations. Kim Ngoc Thanh Nga, Deputy Director of NIC, echoed this sentiment, calling it a defining moment for Southeast Asia. She noted that GITEX's expansion will help Vietnam bridge digital divides, foster global partnerships, and advance socio-economic development. Jalil Rasheed, TBI Managing Director for Asia Pacific, highlighted the partnership's role in strengthening innovation ecosystems and bilateral relations between Vietnam and the UAE. Vietnam is quickly emerging as a vital regional tech hub. It ranks second globally in smartphone exports and fifth in computer exports. Its semiconductor industry exceeded US$18 billion in 2024, and the manufacturing sector employs over 17 million people. The country's digital strategy aims to position Vietnam as a regional leader in AI, cybersecurity, green data centers, and smart infrastructure by 2030. GITEX Vietnam will help propel this vision, offering a global stage for startups, tech companies, and investors to connect. 'GITEX Vietnam will be a platform where innovation meets opportunity,' said Kim Ngoc Thanh Nga. 'We look forward to shaping a digital future with global partners.' For more updates, visit 0 0
