from Denzil Fernandes
for Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (GA)

Dubai, Jun 30: The Dubai Computer Traders Group (DCTG) united under the umbrella of Dubai Chamber. The first AGM of the newly-formed computer group was held at the Chamber premises. The objective of the group was to meet the challenges of the future markets as a combined force. 

The group has recently been recognized by the Dubai Chamber under the business groups. According to Dubai Chamber's figures there are more than 2,000 computer traders registered at the Chamber, making DCTG one of the largest potential business groups at Dubai Chamber. The formation of the Group heralds a new era for Dubai's computer traders who have been a symbolic part of Dubai's trading culture for decades.

Suchit Kumar from Mangalore who is an active member of the Billawa Community in Dubai and honorary secretary of the Akhila Bharata Billawa Union for Gulf is one of the founding members and General Secretary of Dubai Computer Traders Group.

The AGM saw up to 150 attendees covering the diverse make-up of this important trading sector. A complete power point presentation highlighting the objectives and the challenges for DCTG was done by Suchit Kumar.

Abha Devasia, senior executive, who attended the meeting on behalf of Hassan Al Hashemi, director of external relations at Dubai Chamber informed the group of the strategic vision of the Chamber in harnessing the pooled voices of business groups to effectively advocate to the Government on their behalf. She noted that the DCTG had various challenges ahead of them and that the formation of a group was fundamental to addressing their particular issues and encouraged them to use this valuable resource effectively.

Jawad Al Redha, co-chairman of the Business Software Alliance along with Shailender Rughwani, president of DCTG, Rakesh Bohra, in-charge for PR and Mohd Giado, board member and president of Sri Lanka Business Council also spoke on behalf of DCTG.

The newly-formed group, which is the culmination of three years of hard work, now unifies the computer traders of Dubai, one of the largest business sectors in the Emirate and marks an evolution in the computer trading sector.

Speaking to Daijiworld Suchit Kumar noted that the core mission of the Group is to establish strong ethical frameworks for the traders within which to operate especially in strengthening the anti-piracy environment in Dubai. They will also seek to raise the profile of the Dubai computer trading sector worldwide. The long-term vision includes an ambitious plan to forge Dubai into a silicon valley in the Middle East such as those in India and the United States. 

The Executive Committee fielded questions from members and potential members about several issues including the role of the group in day-to-day business issues such as dispute, arbitration between members and other potential projects that the Group would be able to undertake.