UAE 2nd in government ICT use

The UAE jumped 30 places to become the second in the world and the first in the Middle East and Africa region in the “Government Usage of ICT” index in the Global Information Technology Report 2013, just released by the World Economic Forum.

The report, covering 144 countries this year, ranks countries in terms of leveraging information and communications technologies to boost national competitiveness. The achievement of the UAE is a significant considering that it is considered the largest recorded jump in the Government Usage of ICT index in the report this year.

Commenting on this milestone, Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Qamzi, Chairman of Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), said: “We are very proud of this achievement which reflects the high priority that the UAE and set in making IT infrastructure and usage, a fundamental component of the country’s economic growth and social development as well as improving productivity, innovation and quality of life in the country.”

Advancing in the information and communication sector has always been a priority for the UAE government; and which, over the past several years, has implemented various initiatives to deploy the most recent and innovative ICT technology solutions and services.

According to the report findings, the UAE moved up five ranks in the general ranking of the report, taking the 25th place internationally. Additionally, the UAE also ranked number one in the Arab region and seventh globally in the ‘Impact of information technology on society’ Index, an important indicator of the level of integration and positive impact that ICT is having on the society, and progressing its well-being. This ranking also reflects the success of the country’s government and private sectors in the adoption of ICT, and highlights the degree of transparency and confidence entities and individuals in the UAE have in ICT-based government services.

Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General of the TRA, said: “The report demonstrates the positive results of the UAE leadership’s direction and foresight which are focused on leveraging the latest developments in the field of ICT to increase the country’s competitiveness.”

Describing ICT as a fundamental platform for cooperation between the government and private sectors, Al Ghanim said. “It has a crucial role in economic growth and infrastructure development thereby contributing to enhancement of the country’s competitiveness. Advancements in government usage of ICT have also enabled the government to deliver various services to the people through the Internet and the mobile phone” he added.

The WED ICT Report 2013 is based on a four key criteria in assessing the readiness of countries to deal with information technology, which include:  ICT environment, readiness, usage, and impact of information technology. Finland, Singapore, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway took the first five positions respectively in the general ranking of the report.

The TRA earlier announced a major initiative to develop a comprehensive national strategy to provide all major government services through mobile phones and tablet devices in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, made at the Government Summit held recently in Dubai.

The UAE has demonstrated outstanding performance in various international reports, including the renowned World Competitiveness Yearbook 2012-2013 issued by Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, which ranked the UAE as fourth globally in the Cyber Security index.

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