Photo: Inside the exhibition

The sixth annual edition of Telecommunication and Information Technologies Exhibition, TAQNYA, in Tripoli has registered success and the official organizer, the Libyan General Telecommunication Authority, has seen this year more expansion in the sector.

The exhibition was organized by TAQNYA under the auspices of The General Telecommunication Authority of Libya.

The opening ceremony of the four-day exhibition took place on Tuesday 20 July and was headed by Dr. Mohammed Muammar Gaddafi, the Secretary of the General Telecommunication Authority.

The main goal of the exhibition is to create a yearly meeting point for the ICT community, also to provide the services and equipment providers an opportunity to meet their targeted clients.

This sixth annual exhibition has attracted more than 60 international and local companies specialized in the field of telecommunications and information technologies.

Among the notable companies participated in this year's exhibition included Ericsson AB, ZTE Corporation, Motorola, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Oman Fiber Optic, Co.S.A.O.G, Ovitel Libya Telecommunication and Technology, Thuraya, Libyana Mobile Phone, Al Madar El Jadeed, Libyan Spider and many others.

The companies participated in this sixth annual exhibition displayed in their pavilions the latest and modern communication equipments including Geographical information systems, Programs of telecommunication network and diagnosis, Optic telecommunication network system.

Among other systems displayed were High-speed and reliable wireless data systems, Path and rackets computer communication systems and other communication related systems of telecommunication technologies.

During this sixth annual exhibition, The Tripoli Post news reporter visited the Tripoli International fair ground and was able to capture the verbatim and comments from some of the exhibitors participated:
Mrs. Noura Daadaa a communication Engineer representing Alcatel Lvcent a multinational company that has a branch in Tripoli dealing in wireless communication technology said "it is our pleasure to participate again in this sixth annual event and we surely see much improvement this year."

The managing director of Alada Smart Infrastructures Mr. Aref Nayed, a company specialized in building smart infrastructures and communication system installations also said "we have been into this business for 12 years and we participated in all shows held here but we are seeing much progress."

"We are very proud that we have managed to serve our country tremendously, we have indulged ourselves in building information centers of technology in Libya and we endeavor to do much in future" Nayed added.

"I can see that Libya is still a virgin market with full potential for investment and investors, so, I suppose, this is just a beginning, there is a lot more to explore in terms of communication business" said Khaled Ziadeh a Sales Manager representing Digital Systems Company that offers services in internet connectivity, web design and internet security, cable installation upgrades and other communication services.

Guo Juwei, Technical Manager from ZTE Corporation a Chinese company dealing in telecommunications equipments and network solutions and has a branch in Libya said " we have enjoyed a great deal of our presence in Libya, and the market for our goods is quite promising" he said.

Philip Bond, Key Account director representing Motorola Limited a UK based company specialized in public safety, communication and mission critical applications said "we are very excited with the business presence and opportunities in Libya. This is a very big show and this country demonstrates a good potential for business" he said.

Libyana's Roaming Coordinator Hazim Meheshi also said that "Libyana is enjoying a great success as it has managed to have over six millions subscribers and people are recommending that our services are quite good" he said.

Also Mr. Ali Jawad Al Abduwani assistant Manager representing Oman Fiber Optic Company based in Sultanate of Oman said "our work is based on contracts we sign with our clients. Our participation in this exhibition opens more doors to do business with our Libyan brothers" he said.

In few years, the telecommunication sector in Libya has witnessed a rapid growth due to promotion of mobile phones and the increasing and incoming communication technologies.

The two leading Libyan mobile operators Libyana and Al Madar Al jadeed have by 2009 a total of 9.5 millions subscribers in addition to 417000 subscribers who access internet services country wide.