The State of Kuwait

دولة الكويت

National IT Strengths & Weaknesses

Analysis:

National IT

Strengths &

Weaknesses

National ICT

Policies

Domestic IT

Market Size

Weaknesses

 

1) Lack of domestic IT educated citizens/workforce and hereditarily, know-how.

2) Political undertones and religious influences causing more stringent controls and undue bureaucracy

3) Restrictions/regulations on international trade deterring significant incoming entry by interested international businesses.  This results in sluggish and poor results without necessary dynamic domestic partner/sponsor.

4) Government not realizing business value of e-Commerce and IT on national level.

5) Remnants of the Gulf War and baggage.
Text Box: Strengths Kuwait has tremendous financial resources. Strong Entrepreneural spirit and capability. Solid, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and telecom hardware New ambitious select government figures eager to keep Kuwait “cool-and-current”. Large value financial hub would benefit from e-commerce Government provided e-services would eliminate procrastination of some civil servants and foul-play/incompetence. Standardization results. Kuwaitis are quick learners.

Analysis and Conclusion:

 

It can be seen from the S-W analysis above that every potential and ingredient for true IT realization is available, however, it is the inherent traditional controls and bureaucracies that still linger from the historical past of Kuwait which has hindered any free and liberal explosion of IT efforts. 

 

With the past of the Iraq-Kuwait Gulf War just fading and the energies of the government in recapturing economic strengths of the pre-war glory days, it will be some time until the uninhibited spirits reign amongst the Kuwaitis and with particular the public.  As the paranoia of the neighboring aggression of the past subsides, we will see a complete 180 degree change around the corner as Kuwait’s focus shifts off the troubles of a neighbor state and truly “get down to business” as it was in the 80s.

 

After having enjoyed the strongest stock market in the region for so long, it will be obvious the Kuwaitis regain ground much lost in the IT business world and move ahead of Dubai’s undisputed limelight.

 

With many returning US graduates influencing the forefront in Kuwait, we can expect the generation overlap to truly offer a notable and impressive rebound.