Ramallah/ Expotech 2005 was inaugurated yesterday by Dr Sabri Saidam, Minister of ICT in the Palestinian National Authority. The exhibition was organized by the Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) and Palestine Trade Centre – PalTrade;
 Paltel Group- the Platinum Sponsor and supported by Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology.
 Supporting sponsors are: UNDP, Al Aqsa Fund/ Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Silver sponsor: Cisco Company. Insurance: The National Insurance Company.
 
 Sabri Saidam, thanked the organizers and participants. He added that the convergence of all sector players in one effort in a second year in row is a testament to the sector proving to be a main economic and social player in the Palestinian current and future plans. We have the talent and human resources to grow the sector even beyond its potential today. He added that Gaza consititutes the first round in our national battle. Greetings from President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Abo Alaa constitued part of Dr. Saidam’s message.

Dr. Saidam also noted that the Coordination Committee for the ICT sector which includes representatives from the public, the private and international community will meet every two weeks at the Ministry’s premises to discuss plans and future projects.

Saidam also announced that a new project “Falsteenia” will be launched soon. Project aims at supporting the Palestinian women access the job market. Saidam valued the Paltel role in supporting Expotech.

Dr Abdul Malik Jaber, CEO of the Paltel Group passed Mr. Sabih Masri, Chairman of the Board, greetings and added that: “we have plans to further improve our connectivity and capacity in Palestine to meet the growing demand and high expectations of people. We live in a digital society and the divide is not invincible, we can defeat it”. Paltel is the Platinum sponsor of Expotech and is the provider of fixed line and mobile telephone services. The Paltel Group is now expanding to offer media content, IT services, and other related services to a growing market in Palestine. It is worth mentioning that Paltel Group is considered a pioneer player in leading the Palestinian ICT sector towards development.

He continued that Paltel is fully supporting the ICT sector and we will be first to participate in regulating the IT market and bringing in a new national mobile operator into Palestine.

He further added: “it’s such a great pleasure that we and still are offering a lot to the development of the Palestinian ICT sector”.

Timothy Rothermill, UNDP Special Representative expressed his happiness ensuring that UNDP will continue to support the ICT sector in the Palestinian Territory.