The sixth round of the two annual Financial and Government Technology Summits (FT and GT Summits) will be held in Dubai from 4-5 May, 2010. FT and GT Summits organized by World Development Forum will be held simultaneously to discuss how the role of technology will support competitiveness of banks during the stages of economic recovery, secure market share on the one hand and increase the operational efficiency on the other. The two summits aim to provide the IT sector a platform to facilitate dialogue between IT leaders and decision makers of the Arab banks and governments, to further develop the role of technology in the Arab financial sector in the face of the global financial crisis. The theme of the two summits is ‘The role of technology to enhance competitiveness during the stages of economic recovery’. As strategic partners for the event, Dubai Internet City, the largest managed ICT technology park, and its sister entity Dubai Outsource Zone, the world’s first free zone dedicated to the outsourcing industry, both members of TECOM Investments, will highlight the role of technology in today’s world of business and finance. 
Khaled Eid, World Development Forum's Managing Director, said: "The leaders of the financial sector realize the vital role that technology plays in the stages of economic recovery. This is why we need to focus on the different ways technology can provide a solid framework for the financial sector’s infrastructure. "According to latest research reports, IT spending on information technology in the MENA region will go up 20 per cent before the end of 2010. As demand increases the government and financial sectors represent the biggest vertical markets in the UAE and the wider GCC region.” He added: "The growth of IT spending reflects the importance that decision makers place on technology, proving that it is a cornerstone that improves and measures performance, supports customer service, controls cost and most importantly, manages risks. As leaders in their respective areas, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsourcing Zone play a vital role in the region’s technology sector and we are delighted to welcome the two organizations as our strategic partners.” This year’s round of FT and GT Summits will attract leading industry experts working in the government and financial institutions from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, to the UAE, the hosting country. Dubai Internet City’s management team will be present at the event to showcase its services at the region’s largest managed technology business park. Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, said: “As the region’s largest managed technology park, DIC is delighted to work with the organizers of the GT and FT Summit, in bringing together exciting opportunities to the technology sector for banking and public services. “A platform for IT companies to meet with some of the key decision makers in government and finance, DIC will continue to be at the forefront in creating new opportunities through partnerships, programmes and collaborations in the technology sector, making a positive impact on the region’s social and business communities.” Market analysts forecast the lead role that emerging markets will play in the world economic recovery. To date, economic stimulus packages adopted by a number of governments around the world totals more than US$1 trillion. Previous FT and GT Summits successfully established platforms in which leading technology providers and top decision makers could meet and discuss ways that the latest IT solutions could benefit the region.  | 