The three-day 2nd edition of Gitex Hyderabad 2003 -- the world renowned information technology and telecom event held annually in association with Dubai World Trade Center and the Department of IT&C, AP government -- opened in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

With increased participation compared to the earlier year and with business visitors expected from across the globe, organisers said the exhibition would reflect the importance new technologies and products with focus on the region's IT revolution.

This year's GITEX Hyderabad trade exhibition, which will be open from 10 am to 7 pm from Wednesday, January 22 to Friday, January 24 (inclusive), is being held at the new, state-of-the-art HITEX International Exhibition Centre. More than 70 exhibitors representing India and overseas will participate.

Exhibitors will demonstrate new technologies, launch the latest releases of a broad range of new IT solutions into the regional market and display their newest wares in a bid to corner new business opportunities.

"We are pleased to announce that there are several new participants at Gitex Hyderabad this year. Taiwan is making its debut," said the organizers -- Dubai World Trade Centre.

"Gitex, our flagship exhibition, has a strong, loyal following among many IT players, and we continue to draw the interest of a high degree of newcomers. The show has grown by more than 50 per cent in size over the first edition. This is very encouraging and increasingly reflects the credibility of the show and its ability to be a viable business platform for exhibitors to showcase their products & technology,” the organizers added.

Gitex Hyderabad 2003 has also attracted various new exhibitors.

Confederation of Indian Industry is organising a conference in conjunction with Gitex Hyderabad 2003, titled “India IT Forum -- IITF 2003,” which will also be held at HITEX. The conference will cover topics on ITES, BPO and e-governance.

Pramod Mahajan, Union IT Minister, is scheduled to visit the Gitex Hyderabad exhibition on its opening day, January 22. Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, will be the special guest and N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, will be the guest of honour.