Business intelligence (BI) and analytics software in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) totaled $217 million in 2013, an 11 percent increase from 2012 revenue of $196 million, according to Gartner, Inc. The BI and analytics market consists of consisting of BI platforms, corporate performance management (CPM) suites, analytic applications and advanced analytics.

Ex-Im Bank Chairman Fred P. Hochberg makes announcement during U.S.-Africa Energy Ministerial in Ethiopia
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) today announced that the Bank has authorized $1.1 billion to finance U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa in the first seven months of fiscal year 2014.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Digital TV Middle East & Africa Databook 2014" report to their offering.

Digital TV penetration will reach two-thirds of total TV households in the Middle East & Africa region by end-2014; having crossed the halfway mark in 2011, according to a new report from Digital TV Research. The Digital TV Middle East & Africa Databook (covering 56 countries) estimates that digital TV penetration will be 73.8% in the Middle East & North Africa (up from 64.3% in 2010) and 57.1% in Sub-Saharan Africa (up from only 19.2% in 2010).

• Report warns that the Country's recent dynamism is being restricted by current Government reimbursement model
• Turkish market consists of 300 pharma companies, producing over 8000 drugs and employing 30000 people with a $7Bn turnover

• Analysts Examine Key Trends and Issues Facing The IT Industry At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Dubai, April 1- 3, 2014
• Middle East (ME) IT spending is projected to total $211 billion in 2014, an 8 percent increase from 2013, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc.

Peter Sondergaard, senior vice president and global head of research at Gartner, provided the latest outlook for the IT industry today to an audience of more than 500 CIOs and IT leaders at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, which is taking place here through April 3.

Analysts Examine Key IT Trends At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

Governments in the Middle East & Africa will spend US $11.9 billion on IT products and services in 2014, an increase of 2.3 percent over 2013 revenue of US $ 11.7 billion, according to Gartner, Inc. This forecast includes internal IT (including personnel), hardware, software, external IT services and telecommunications. Government comprises local and regional government and national and international government.

• Analysts Attribute Spending Increase To The Expansion Strategy Of Banks And Modernization Projects
• Analysts Will Examine Key Trends In the Banking Industry At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

Kenya's transition to a green economy could produce major economic benefits – equivalent to an estimated USD 45 billion by 2030 – as well as greater food security, a cleaner environment and higher productivity of natural resources, according to a new study launched Tuesday by the Government of Kenya and the UN Environment Programme.

The Green Economy Assessment Report: Kenya finds that the transition to an inclusive, low emission , resource efficient green economy will result in stronger economic growth and increased wealth creation opportunities by 2021.

Analysts Will Examine Key IT Trends At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2014, April 1-3, Dubai

Healthcare providers in the Middle East & Africa will spend US $2.8 billion on IT products and services in 2014, an increase of 2.8 percent over 2013 revenues, according to Gartner, Inc. This forecast includes spending by healthcare providers (includes hospitals and hospital systems, as well as ambulatory service and physicians' practices) on internal IT (including personnel), hardware, software, external IT services and telecommunications.

Growing  Use  of  Video  Walls  and  LEDs  is  Significantly  Contributing  to  Expansion  of  UAE  Digital  Signage  Market

Digital signage is a form of digital display witnessing increasing adoption in retail, transportation, hospitality and entertainment applications. The UAE is one of the major digital signage markets in the Middle East & Africa region, exhibiting double digit growth. The demand for digital signage has increased exponentially due to growing demand from hotels, shopping malls and hospitals. As the UAE would be hosting World Expo 2020, the demand for large screen display screens in malls, retail outlets, etc. is also witnessing a robust growth.

The forum focuses on increasing youth participation and economic diversification, considered the "Davos of the Middle East"

John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE participated in a panel discussion at the Jeddah Economic Forum, considered the "Davos of the Middle East." Mr. Bryant spoke during the main panel discussion about "Enabling links between investors and business."

The flagship UAE summit for sustainability, CSR Dubai 2014, will be opened by elected chairman Drs Daan Elffers, Founder and CEO of EMG. This was announced today by the organizers of the summit, the Institute for International Research in the Middle East.

Now in its 11th year, the conference has played a major role in shaping the evolution of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in the Middle East for more than a decade.