Gulf ’s leading industrial consulting organisation launches industrial market intelligence portal
Posted: 13 July 2004
GOIC introduces sophisticated new IBM portal-based information system developed by GBM to provide rapid access to critical regional industrial business and economic information
The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) will create new industrial business opportunities in the GCC region through today’s launch of its Gulf Industrial Market Intelligence (IMI) services portal. The portal provides a wealth of research and analytic content for regional and international investors, researchers and industrialists which will improve co-operation and co-ordination in industrial development among the six GCC member countries.
Available in both Arabic and English, the knowledge portal was developed by Gulf Business Machines (GBM), sole distributor for selected IBM products and services in the Gulf countries excluding Saudi Arabia , using IBM’s WebSphere suite of middleware products. This tech nology forms the foundation of the GOIC IMI portal and serves as a dynamic management system for a range of industrial information, including online databases, statistics, indicators, reports, news bulletins, newsletters, customised information services, investment opportunity services and an information analysis and inquiry service.
“ It’s been a goal of GOIC to bring our research and data to our regional and international clients and allow them to make better investment decisions based on good quality, sound information. In the last four years, we’ve had over 10,000 queries – we expect the portal to drive an even larger amount of requests for research as it allows clients to find information quickly and easily,” said GOIC Secretary General H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Musallam. “This tech nology allows users to access the data they need without tying up GOIC resources in servicing basic inquiries, allowing our staff to focus on adding more intellectual value. WebSphere is a standards-based open tech nology that allows our customers to access information in a way that’s most convenient to them, over the Internet on their computers or via their handheld devices. WebSphere allows us to add new ways to access our information without having to invest more in core infrastructure”
The GOIC IMI portal allows visitors to access information from six major databases that are updated regularly, providing data and analysis on a range of areas including industrial operations, foreign trade, investment opportunities and tech nology providers in the GCC:
Gulf industrial Database - provides information on more than 8,000 operational and 3,000 licensed factories in the GCC, including contact details and data on production, investment, labour force and raw materials.
Foreign Trade Database - contains critical information on imports, exports and re-exports across nine different sectors for the GCC and each individual member country in a time-series format.
Socio-Economic Database - contains 400 statistical tables, covering country socio-economic indicators such as population, workforces, national accounts and foreign trade.
Experts Database - provides information on consulting establishments and professional experts in various disciplines who are operating in the GCC region or worldwide.
Investment Opportunities - contains summaries of industrial investment opportunities prepared by GOIC and other similar bodies in the GCC region or worldwide.
Technology Provider Database - provides contact details, descriptions and applications of new tech nologies that are available worldwide and are of interest to the GOIC.
“The GCC is a fast-growing region that provides a huge variety of exciting business opportunities for regional and international investors. The GOIC IMI portal brings valuable business and economic data to these investors, and also provides a fundamental information resource for researchers, journalists, government institutions, NGOs and regional and international chambers of commerce,” said Samer Shaar, General Manager of IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan . “We are delighted to be involved in this project, which will drive not only new business opportunities, but create more efficiencies in business projects across the Gulf.”
The GOIC IMI portal (imi.goic.org.qa) provides instant responses to incoming queries based on a flat fee. Once a user selects the information he requires, he can submit an e-mail inquiry through the GOIC portal and pay via credit card, cheque or bank transfer. Upon receiving an e-mail confirming that the request has been processed, the user can then download the report in a standard spreadsheet format which he can then customize to a format he prefers.
“ This portal provides decision-makers with an online resource of valuable business information – available online to give businesspeople quick and easy access to critical information anytime, anywhere. IBM WebSphere tech nology provides a solution that is easy for GOIC’s customers to use, gives them 24 hour access, and saves phone and fax costs when they are looking for specific information,” said Cesare Cardone, CEO of GBM. “Our work with the GOIC has created an international best practice in knowledge management, helping the council meet its business objectives to provide a better service to its customers and build new growth opportunities for the region.”
About the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC)
Founded in 1976 by the Arab Gulf States, Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting promotes industrial co-operation and co-ordination among the six Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) State members - UAE, Bahrain , Saudi Arabia , Oman , Qatar and Kuwait . It collects and publishes data and information on industrial projects and policies, suggests viable industrial projects that can be implemented by the GCC States on a joint-venture basis, submits recommendations with regard to the coordination and integration of industrial projects in the GCC States, enhances economic and tech nical co-operation among operating and/or planned industrial establishments, provides assistance in the preparation and/or evaluation of industrial studies, and conducts industrial data analysis and studies. More information can be found at http://www.goic.org.qa.
About Gulf Business Machines
With roots stretching back more than 60 years, Gulf Business Machines is the Sole Distributor for selected IBM Products and services in the Gulf countries excluding Saudi Arabia . As the largest locally situated IT solutions and service provider it satisfies the tech nology requirements of local, regional and international businesses and governments in the region. The company's comprehensive portfolio of IT solutions and services are complemented by a unique affiliation with an IBM community of IT experts, as well as a number of international business partners. The company offers award-winning, globally acclaimed solutions and the security of its strong regional presence, extensive reach and its unrivalled market knowledge.
About IBM
IBM is the world’s largest information tech nology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions ad tech nologies that enable telecommunications service providers and equipment suppliers to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. IBM Global Services is the world’s largest information tech nology services provider and is the fastest growing part of IBM, with nearly 150,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries. For more information on IBM, visit www.ibm.com
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