The 2008 Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) opened in Riyadh, with 600 companies from 13 countries showing off their latest products and solutions. Engineer Mohammed Bin Ahmed Mulla, the Saudi Arabian Minister for Communications and IT, formally opened the show with a walkthrough of the various stands. He expressed his admiration for the evolution of technology. Telecoms companies are prominent at the event, with both Saudi Telecom Company and Mobily taking large stands, along with HP, Nokia and other big technology names. The show also encompasses GITEX Shopper, which offers deals on consumer IT products. Technology vendors and consultants from around the world come to GITEX Riyadh to interact with Saudi IT professionals. __