The Arabcom 98 exhibition was inaugurated by Lebanon's Information Minister Bassem Al Sabeh on February 26, in the presence of the cream of the telecommunications industry in the Arab world and beyond. Ministers and officials from 13 Arab states, including Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Libya, Kuwait UAE, Bahrein, and Palestine, attended the Exhibition, which took place at Beirut Hall . Over 35 International telecommunication companies exhibited at the Arabcom 98  

During the five days of the Exhibition, thousands of professional visitors mingled at stands representing more than thirty five companies, governments and organizations. The event generated intensive media attention from across the region, particularly as it was the first such event in the Arab world. 

Punters could try out a range of equipment: from space age gadgetry to advanced communication systems, Networking, Fibre optic cables, Data transmission, Mobile Communications, Satellites Communications, Networks, Network services, Intelligent Networks, Information Technology, Private Networks, Rural & remote services, Video conferencing, Multimedia, Internet applications, Cabling Infrastructure, Diagnostic and Testing, Security Systems, PABX / PBX / ISDN / Frame relay / Multiplexers / switching, and many other new products. 

It was all there at the Beirut Hall for all types of consumer. PTT General Directors, Governmental representatives, Decision makers, High powered corporate executives rubbed shoulders with Ministers and official delegates visiting all the exhibitors each at his own turn. End users and consumers came as professionals in order to be aware of the newest technologies facing them in the nearest future. 
 
 

The Arabcom 98 exhibition quickly became the talk of the town in Beirut as thousands of visitors attended the event at Beirut Hall. The companies and organisations exhibiting proved to be a stellar array of global players, with ITU, ETSI, Motorola, Ericsson, Andrew, Harris Farinon, Arabsat, Dar El Handassah, Liban Cables, International Cables, Camusat, Sodetel, France Telecom, Globalstar-TESAM, Lybian GPTC, Al Madar Libya, IARU, Data Management, Alcatel, MCI, Iridium, Glenayre, Sirti , Nec, Sumitomo, GlobaOne, Arraycomm, Startec, Consultronics, International Turnkey Systems Kuwait, Gulfsat Kuwait, Compumatix, Electro industries, Ditacomm, Digital Microwave Corporation, ERSS, Syrian Korean company Samsung, SRT, Vega Group, Digital Press, Hitek magazine, Caffe net, all taking floor space and receiving great interest from the visitors.  

The Arab world is lagging behind in the development of its telecommunications infrastructure, but is making strides in the right direction. This was the abiding message that delegates and exhibitors took home from Arabcom 98, the First International Telecommunications Development Congress and Exhibition for the Arab States, which took place between February 26 and March 2 in Beirut, Organized by HITEK magazine & The Xperimental Group. 

The Organizer 

Arabcom 98 organizer Mrs. Katia Tayar, 

owner of HITEK magazine the Unique Pan Arab Telecom Magazine in Lebanon & The Xperimental Group specialized in Organizing Telecom Congresses, Seminars and Exhibitions since 1993 - the telecommunications ambassador for the Arab world - summed up the event saying: I hope you will all get positive results from Arabcom 98 as we enter the 21st century.