The Middle East region - including the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE) - is one of the world's fastest growing markets for financial technology.

And Dubai’s robust economic cluster of technology and finance hubs makes it a viable and attractive proposition for any business, providing investors with a unique and comprehensive value added platform.

The region's financial services sector is in the midst of a massive IT overhaul. With populations getting younger, better educated and more demanding; increasing diversity in financial products and services; and last but not least, growing regulatory requirements for better monitoring of processes and developing secure financial systems, banks and financial institutions across the region are investing heavily in systems and technologies that can comfortably match or outstrip their international peers.

According to IDC, banks in the Gulf represent the largest single vertical in terms of overall IT investments (Gulf States Vertical Markets Forecast and Analysis 2004 - 2009).

Demand for CRM applications in the UAE alone is estimated to increase to $90 million by 2008 (source: Madar Research). With most major banks implementing CRM strategies, the financial sector will be a key driver of the expanding CRM market.

Against this backdrop, MEFX offers an unrivalled opportunity for vendors and suppliers of cutting-edge financial IT solutions to tap into a burgeoning market.

For more information on how to maximise your exposure to the Middle East’s largest gathering of finance professionals contact the MEFX Project Team on +971 4 308 6597.