The Middle East has been a seedbed of cutting-edge science and technology for centuries. It gave the world the word 'algebra' and local doctors were already surgically removing cataracts and treating kidneys at a time when Europe was still using leeches. Europe relied heavily on knowledge culled by Arab innovators to emerge from the Dark Ages and step into the Renaissance.
Today, backed by vast oil reserves, aggressive government-driven economic diversification and ambitions of establishing a digital society, the Middle East has once again positioned itself at the forefront of global technological advancement.
The Arab World has been allocating huge funds for the development of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) framework, pushing the envelope in mobile, fixed and internet networks and adopting world-class ICT capabilities. The region is among the fastest-growing IT markets in the world, with spending expected to top $32 billion in 2014. A significant portion of investment is currently being directed towards the 'third platform' of computing encompassing social, mobile, cloud and big data.
"The Middle East is uniquely positioned to cement its image as an ICT powerhouse. It has the funding, visionary leadership and economic agenda needed to turn itself into a genuine digital society. Throughout the region we have seen how strategic ICT investments can fuel national development at very impressive scales. What is needed is the continuous flow of expertise to properly translate technology investments into high-performance ICT frameworks that can support sustained local and regional growth. The UAE is a good example of how ICT can be harnessed as a tool for rapid economic and commercial growth," said Zakaria Ibbini, Business Development Manager, Alpha Data.
In the petroleum-rich Gulf, the United Arab Emirates is second only to Saudi Arabia in ICT spending. As the region's acknowledged commercial hub, the UAE has been accelerating its adoption of advanced ICT solutions to match the nation's social and economic growth. ICT spending in the country is in fact projected to grow around 5%to exceed $15 billion this year.
The push towards better ICT can be seen in the extensive investments in mobile connectivity throughout the country, where a mobile signal has become available almost anywhere and where advanced services such as 4G LTE have become widely accessible. For its part, the UAE Government has launched online portals for all of its services and is developing solutions for mobile platforms as well.
Enhancements to internet connectivity have also been top priorities as the web has become a driver for business and overall economic growth. Aside from its financial benefits, the internet has also become a vital component of the UAE's public safety and security efforts. A number of systems are now being used by law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and stability throughout the Emirates.
ICT expansion extends to the outside world as well, through various successful initiatives such as the Yahsat satellite network which provides the UAE with multifaceted, global connectivity.
Looking ahead, market intelligence firm IDC foresees healthy growth for the nation's ICT industry through 2017, driven largely by the active spending of the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to upgrade the country's infrastructure.
A key player within the UAE's thriving ICT space is Abu Dhabi, the capital and the country's largest emirate. Sitting on an estimated 10%of the world's oil reserves, Abu Dhabi is considered the world's richest city. Its Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 development roadmap has been included in a list of the top 100 infrastructure projects worldwide by professional services group KPMG, attesting to the city's exceptional development agenda. Formalizing Abu Dhabi's quest to become a world-leading knowledge economy, Vision 2030 lists ICT among its key growth areas, which also include aerospace, semiconductors, aluminum, health care, clean technology, logistics and financial services. ICT's influence is strong within the other fields as well.
Among the major proponents of the UAE's march to ICT leadership is Abu Dhabi- based Alpha Data, the UAE's leading systems integrator. Alpha Data has over 30 years of experience in delivering complete solutions and services with a focus on emerging infrastructure models involving mobility, the cloud, and security services. Its broad customer portfolio includes the government, energy, hospitality, and education. The company maintains strategic global partnerships with leading industry names such as Veeam, SiliconCore Technology, Microsoft, Cisco, Extreme Networks, and Dell to develop and deploy the best integrated IT solutions to the local and regional markets.
Alpha Data explains that the development of the national ICT landscape requires cooperation and support across all sectors. That is why it lends its expertise to diverse organizations such as the Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority and Ankabut, the UAE's Advanced National Research and Education Network offering academic institutions connectivity to other education networks around the world.
The company's work with Ankabut also aims to address the results of a global business survey conducted by IT research firm IDG indicating that Middle East information technology firms may be experiencing one of the highest levels of IT expertise shortage in the world at a time when it is witnessing phenomenal ICT development.
Alpha Data's comprehensive portfolio covers a complete range of Enterprise IT Solutions, ELV and Security, Managed IT Services, and Data Center Infrastructure Support. Given the huge volume of region-wide ICT investments, Alpha Data ensures that its clients and partners get their money's worth and unleash the full potential of their IT arsenal.
As the Middle East experience has shown, strategic investments in ICT can lead to remarkable returns not only for business but for society overall. Such investments will prove critical to growth as the world edges towards economic recovery. With willing and highly able players such as Alpha Data providing invaluable support at the sidelines, the Arab World is poised to reclaim its rightful place among the world's top technology havens.
