IT spend to cross SR18bn by 2013

Saudi Arabia, the biggest IT market in the Gulf region, is once again poised to serve as a catalyst for growth in the Gulf as the country's IT sector is expected to sustain a healthy growth rate with market value reaching SR18.1 billion (Dh66.4bn) by 2013.

Moreover, the impact of the global downturn on the country has been compensated by a growing interest by business organisations in technology solutions that boost efficiency and productivity, as manifested by a positive forecast in computer hardware sales, which is expected to sustain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of seven per cent between 2009 and 2013, and the growth in the IT services market, which is poised to achieve a CAGR of nine per cent during the same period.

Gitex KSA 2010, to be held from March 28 to April 1 at the Riyadh Exhibition Centre, is expected to provide the perfect complement to the positive outlook in the Saudi IT market as the event serves as an ideal gateway for suppliers and buyers of a diverse range of IT products and services to meet and explore new business opportunities.

PCs, notebook computers and IT accessories, which collectively generated sales of SR7.125bn in 2009, as well as IT services, which registered around SR3.75bn in sales in 2009, are among the key product categories that are expected to create a huge impact at Gitex KSA this year.

Shahid Bhatti, Project Manager of Gitex at Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said: "We expect another record participation with all the top ICT manufacturers confirming their presence at Gitex KSA 2010. In view of the changes in market dynamics, ICT companies will be actively interacting with corporate buyers, traders and other target audiences as they look out for deals and explore joint venture opportunities."

With the introduction of advanced IT solutions such as the WiMax broadband, internet and computer penetration are expected to achieve growth in the next few years.

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