Overall the ICT sector is growing in the UAE. A very pro-government stance has facilitated this growth. Some recent statistics which show the activity and growth of the regional ICT market:
- The IT market grew from US$ 6.9 billion in 2003 to more than US$ 9.5 billion in 2005.
- Internet and software solutions markets in the Gulf grew at twice the rate of those in Europe.
- The region has seen a ten-fold increase in internet penetration in the past eight years
- 42.7% growth in PC sales across the GCC in 2005
- ICT spending in Gulf states ( Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar) is expected to exceed us$ 10.10 billion by 2010
- Mobile Revenues in the GCC are expected to grow from around US$ 9.8 billion in 2005 to US$ 12.7 billion in 2010 (CAGR of 5.3%).
Source: IDC (15)
The Knowledge Assessment Methodology is an interactive benchmarking tool created by the Knowledge for Development Program to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in making the transition to the knowledge-based economy. The KAM assesses countries in a variety of areas relating to countries adoption and capability of using ICT to drive Business and Government Development. The table below provides three key figures from this analysis. (4)
Variable |
United Arab Emirates |
|
actual |
normalized |
|
Availability of e-Government Services (1-7), 2006 |
4.85 |
8.09 |
Extent of Business Internet Use (1-7), 2006 |
4.10 |
6.26 |
ICT Expenditure as % of GDP, 2005" |
3.58 |
1.62 |
Tejari was established in June 2000, as a strategic initiative of the Dubai Government with the aim of facilitating B2B eCommerce in the region. The word “Tejari” means Trade or Commerce in Arabic. The goal of Tejari was to become a single point of online trade for businesses operating in the UAE and the region. Companies that sell goods and services through Tejari can search online catalogues, create RFPs, receive and awards business online and perform spot purchases.
One of Tejari’s major accomplishments was to shift all Government Departments in Dubai and some major private sector organizations to doing their procurement process with suppliers online. Additionally Tejari is now serving customers with products & services in 5 countries outside the UAE. (14)
The charts below illustrate the growth of the business.
