The United Arab Emirates ranked first in the “Digital Performance Index in the Arab Gulf 2023” with an average of 65.43 points, followed by Saudi Arabia with an average of 58.34 points, and then Qatar with an average of 55.22 points. Meanwhile, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait achieved averages of 52.46, 52.05, and 49.15 points respectively.
Abdul Qader Al-Kamali, an independent researcher and expert in information and communication technology, stated that the “Digital Performance Index in the Gulf Arab States” sheds light on the performance of Gulf countries based on five global indicators, with a focus on the growth of the information and communication technology sector and efforts to support digitalization. The report highlights the excellent results achieved by the Gulf Council countries, with the UAE ranking first in all five indicators. These countries are committed to investing in and developing the infrastructure of the fifth generation network, reflecting their commitment to supporting digital transformation in the region.
Gulf Cooperation Council countries have achieved advanced results in the digital performance index in the Arab Gulf, demonstrating outstanding performance in the digital transformation in the region.
This was stated in a report issued by “Orient Planet Research” in collaboration with independent researcher Abdul Qadir Al Kamali, an expert in information and communication technology, on the “Digital Performance Index in the Arabian Gulf 2023”. This assessment combines the main global indicators for measuring the digital performance of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The index evaluates data that shows the performance of these countries in five major global indicators, which are the “Global Talent Competitiveness Index” (GTCI), the “Network Readiness Index” (NRI), the “Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index” (GAR), the “Global Innovation Index” (GII), and the United Nations’ “e-Government Development Index” (EGDI).
According to the report, the Information and Communications Technology sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries has significant potential for expansion and advancement in the coming years. This is driven by several factors such as digital transformation, smart city initiatives, cybersecurity measures, innovation, cloud computing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and robotics. With the increasing technological knowledge of the population and the adoption of innovative technologies, governments in the region contribute to the development of a more flexible environment leading to continuous growth. This is achieved through their commitment to diversifying their economies, paving the way for a more dynamic and prosperous scene for Information and Communications Technology in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Gulf Cooperation Council countries attach great importance to the information technology and communications sector, due to its vast potential to enhance growth and transformation in the coming years. Governments in the region, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are investing in smart infrastructure using advanced technologies such as Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis, with the aim of improving urban life, facilitating services, and enhancing overall efficiency. Smart cities are expected to make significant contributions in various sectors, including education, transportation, and energy, to create a more advanced and connected environment.
Cybersecurity is one of the most important prevailing trends in the information and communication technology sector. The region has witnessed an increase in cyber threats and crimes recently due to the digital transformation and the development of a more interconnected digital environment. In this context, governments and companies recognize the necessity of taking necessary measures and steps in the field of cybersecurity to protect sensitive data and advanced infrastructure. They resort to adopting advanced cybersecurity technologies, training a specialized team in this field, and implementing integrated strategies to monitor and address these threats. Cybersecurity has become a critical issue for maintaining trust in digital transactions, protecting national security, and promoting the growth of the digital economy in the region.
The fifth-generation technology (5G) joins this list of trends, gaining clear momentum for its fast and reliable network connections, as well as its contribution to supporting innovative technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and the internet of things. This technology is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting smart applications, autonomous vehicles, and other emerging technologies through its bandwidth and low latency services. Governments and the telecommunications sector, in particular, are keen on developing and deploying the infrastructure based on the fifth-generation technology, recognizing its impact on various sectors including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. These trends together contribute to shaping a dynamic and promising future for the information and communications technology sector in the region.
Dr. Nidal Abuzaki, General Manager of “Orient Planet Group,” said, “The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have shown exceptional performance in their efforts to promote digitization, as reflected in the notable results achieved in the “Digital Performance Index in the Arab Gulf 2023.” GCC countries have experienced remarkable growth in various fields, particularly in the information and communication technology sector, supported by fifth-generation technology which has enabled fast and secure communication networks. Furthermore, cybersecurity has gained significant importance, leading government and private institutions to take strict measures to ensure data security in a more connected and advanced environment.”
“We expect the information and communications technology sector to undergo significant transformations in the region, bringing about several emerging trends such as rapid digitization and smart cities. We notice an increase in investments in advanced technologies, including Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics that can be utilized to enhance urban living. In this context, smart cities contribute to establishing new and advanced standards in various sectors, ranging from healthcare to energy, ensuring a more sustainable and developed economy.”
The independent researcher, Abdul Qader Al-Kamali, said, “The UAE has been able to achieve leadership in all indicators and consolidate its leading presence and status in the digital field. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. The GCC countries have succeeded in enhancing their digital performance and technological capabilities by launching a range of initiatives and increasing investments in the information and communications technology sector. The GCC countries have also focused on enhancing the role of science and technology, building capacities in research, development, and innovation, and providing necessary support to build national innovation systems in the region. It is expected that 5G technology, alongside the efforts led by governments to adopt it in various fields, will contribute to enhancing growth and prosperity in the coming years.”
In terms of research and development, Saudi Arabia ranked first among Arab countries and twenty globally, followed by the United Arab Emirates, which came second among Arab countries and thirty-fourth globally. These results reflect the region’s commitment to supporting innovation and enhancing technological progress.
The results of the “Digital Performance Index in the Arabian Gulf 2023” were built after studying and analyzing the data provided by five leading global indicators, the first of which is the “Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2022,” which includes 175 cities in 133 countries and assesses their ability to grow, attract, retain talents and competencies. This index indicated that the integrated policies adopted by the United Arab Emirates to support job opportunities have greatly contributed to its ability to attract talent. The United Arab Emirates ranked highly in the top ten positions in the sub-index related to access to growth opportunities, providing diverse resources and numerous lifelong learning opportunities.
As for the “Network Readiness Index 2022”, it focuses on the younger generations and their role in shaping a digital future. It classifies 131 countries based on their readiness in four main areas: technology, individuals, governance, and technological impact. The report highlighted the exceptional performance of the United Arab Emirates in all areas, particularly in the individuals aspect.
“The Government Readiness Index for Artificial Intelligence 2022 measures the efficiency of harnessing artificial intelligence technologies to improve public sector services by evaluating countries based on 39 indicators distributed among government, technology, data, and infrastructure sectors. This version of the report ranks 181 countries according to their government readiness to adopt artificial intelligence in public services provided to the population.”
The “Global Innovation Index 2023” measures the performance of 132 countries in the field of innovation, highlighting the latest global trends and classifying them into seven categories: institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market development, business development, knowledge and technology outputs, and creative outputs. These categories consist of 80 sub-indicators. In this edition, the UAE has shown outstanding performance, surpassing the averages of high-income categories in terms of market development, business development, human capital, infrastructure, and institutions.
The study of the results of the “e-Government Development Index” issued by the United Nations, which measures the performance of 193 member countries in the United Nations and their adoption of information technology to enhance individuals’ access and participation, was also conducted. The report evaluates the e-Government based on three benchmark indicators, including e-services, telecommunications infrastructure readiness, and human capital. The results showed that Dubai ranked fifth globally and first in the Arab world, according to a study that included 86 indicators.
As for other indicators, the “2022 Index of Readiness of Countries for Leading Technology” issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) classifies 166 countries according to their capabilities in technology and innovation. The UAE ranked first among Arab countries and thirty-seventh globally, followed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar.
(Al-Bayan)
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