'Arabcom will examine the situation of telecommunications in the Arab world: the situation today and the possibility of Arab states to take part in its development. Lebanon is keen to be an active partner in this venture.' Bassem al-Sabah, Minister of Information, Lebanon. 

'I thought the event went very well. The sessions were very interesting and well prepared and will help me in planning policy in my country. It has given me a good chance to make further contacts and network with different countries. The Exhibition at Beirut Hall was very neat and featured a large amount of equipment - my good expectations were reaffirmed.' H.E. El Hadi Bushra, Sudan's Minister of State for Telecommunications  
 

'From the first day I've been very impressed with the things that were being said. A lot of the things about human resources and building internal skills sets are things that my company has believed for a long time. I am very impressed with the level of success that the Arab countries have had with digitization because I think this is key. Whereas in the US we have a very large analogue infrastructure that is taking us a long time. So I'm seeing a lot of services and other things offered very quickly because you don't have the infrastructure we have. Which is very good - a big benefit to the Arab world. This is a really great conference.' Al Wilson, Evolution Systems. 

'There is a very good representation of people here. I was quite surprised there were people from many other Arab countries other than just Lebanon and that was very encouraging for a first-time trade show. It was impressive to see such senior people - ministers, director-generals - those are the kinds of people we want to talk to as a supplier and find out about projects. Arabcom 98 had good quality people and was very well organised. 'We are active in a number of Arab countries and are looking to expand our presence and our sales people have made excellent contacts that will open up new doors for us as well as give us an opportunity to go back to our existing customers and tell them what's new with what our company is doing. We've had both sides and we're very happy with what we've seen.' Jerry Wight, SR Telecom 

'Arabcom has helped us because it's very good to have direct relations with the end-users. We feel it is better to understand what they feel and need and what they expect, as well as their complaints. It's important to have the whole picture - not only the contact with the operator but also with the end user. It has also helped us to develop the potential market in the region. In about a year or so after renewing contacts made here I expect to do some business from being at Arabcom 98.' Monfort Bruno, Aerospatiale 
 

'Usually with these kind of gatherings you come out with a lot of benefits regarding setting up rules and discussing topics. All kinds of people from different administrations meet and they discuss matters and come out with rules and regulations which will benefit them in the future. For telecommunications, it's a very fast field and development in telecoms is moving in a rapid way. So these kinds of gatherings are very important and that's why I believe ITU agreed to sponsor this conference and exhibition. All technical things cannot bring benefits without good administration.' Walid Khaled al-Bahar, of the Kuwaiti delegation.  

'The importance of the event is that it was the first telecommunications expo in the area dedicated to telecoms projects. Exhibitors are exhibiting their projects and their interest in the telecoms field - not just in cellular and fax, for example.' Giordano Perni, General Manager, Sirti.  

'Because Arabcom is a specialised event, everyone here is working in the same field - they have their target market, people coming there know about telecoms. And it's interesting. There are lots of foreign companies, a lot of interaction and a lot of mixing of technologies. We give them technology and the technology gives us freedom.'  

Carole Geha, Data Management, Official Internet Service Provider of Arabcom 98. 

'It was very well organised. I liked it a lot. The visitors are mostly professional and that's what I like most. Too many other expos are for a more general audience, so it's good to have specialised clients and visitors.' Mervat el-Jessi, ERSS. 

'We are happy to be at Arabcom and intend to participate in many more. By being in Lebanon, it is also a window on the Middle East.' Alcatel spokesman. 

'This is an important exhibition as it's a first - proof of the opening of minds and the rebuilding of a new mentality in the region. The United Nations agencies want peace to extend to everybody, with telecommunications to every home - not just the big companies and organisations.' Evelyne Metz ITU  

'Arabcom has been a great source of information and we've learned a great deal during the event. This will be felt in the coming days, months and years.' Walid Dweik, Chairman of Board of Telecommunications regulatory commission Jordan. 

'I hope you will all get positive results from Arabcom 98 as we enter the 21st century. We welcome the communications technology of international companies and hope they can help us while respecting Arab traditions in this small village that the world is today.' Katia Tayar, Organizer, Arabcom 98. 

Arabcom heard many new technological developments, services and products which are revolutionizing the industry from numerous speakers. The topics ranged from mobile satellite communications, regulatory systems, cellular and GSM technology in the Arab world, Internet opportunities, Wireless in the local loop, terrestrial and satellite broadband, advanced billing and customer care services, international paging standards, how to transform telecommunications organisations into competitive companies and how public networks work, among others.