Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, on Sunday officially inaugurated the 39th GITEX Technology Week and the 4th edition of GITEX Future Stars at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event, which lasts till Thursday, features 4,500 companies representing 100 countries. Sheikh Hamdan expressed his appreciation for the steady growth of the event, which is the largest IT industry gathering in the region and one of the world’s leading technology-related events. "The exhibition sector in Dubai has developed considerably over the years from a platform for the launch of new products to a stage for innovation, opportunities and exchange of ideas and expertise. Today, GITEX has evolved into an event where technology leaders share their vision," Sheikh Hamdan said. He welcomed exhibitors, saying “the event’s ability to attract thousands of companies from the region and the world, ranging from global IT giants to upcoming companies, opens new opportunities for us to work with the rest of the world in finding solutions that can make people’s lives easier and happier.” “Our partnership with major global technology firms offers us fresh possibilities to enhance our strategic objectives and become one of the front-runners in the fourth industrial revolution," he noted. He also said that GITEX Future Stars, which is primarily targeted at startups, highlights the importance of the event as a platform for entrepreneurs and investors to interact with each other and explore growth opportunities and access to capital. One of the event’s key focuses is on how 5G is expected to transform the region and “change the world forever”. The future of transportation is another key focus at the exhibition. The latest innovations in artificial intelligence and the rise of robots in everyday life are other key themes.