The UAE ICT Sector Achieves Significant Progress
The Information and Communication Technology Sector in the UAE has achieved significant progress in global ranking from the 6th to the 2nd rank, according to the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 2019 issued by the World Economic Forum. This report is considered one of the most important global competitiveness reports that countries rely on to measure the performance of their sectors.
The ICT Sector ranked first among other sectors in the country in the level of progress in the global ranking. The GCI also measures the efficiency and competitiveness of the ICT sectors in the world through the “ICT adoption” pillar, which includes a number of global competitiveness indicators that measure the sector’s performance.
The UAE remained the first globally in the mobile broadband subscriptions index, in addition to the second position in mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions. The UAE advanced to the fourth position in fiber Internet subscriptions, and fifth in the rate of Internet users. The UAE advanced 35 ranks in Fixed- broadband Internet subscription reaching the 27th position globally.
Commenting on these achievements, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: “The UAE’s achievements in global indicators are cumulative milestones towards the goal we all seek to achieve the country’s global leadership in all fields, especially the ICT sector due to its exceptional importance as key of progress in all sectors. In the United Arab Emirates, under the directives of the wise leadership, we are keen to create and provide advanced infrastructure capable of achieving the highest positions in the ICT indicators. We are working to create the suitable conditions to accommodate advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence technologies and Internet of Things, in order to reach the principle of sustainability and increase the happiness of society.”
H.E. Al Mansoori added: “Every achievement is a strong motivation for us to move forward and develop our policies and plans for further accomplishments. Today we are in the first position in many indicators, but we must not forget that we have to put more efforts in the rest of the indicators. In the UAE, our leaders have taught us to seek the first position. My team at TRA and myself, in cooperation with our partners in the government sector, are determined to contribute actively to the realization of our country’s goals and future visions to be first in the world in all fields. ”
Moreover, Tariq Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Spectrum Affairs and the Leader of the National Agenda Team at TRA, said: “TRA continues to work with the operators to raise the country’s ranking in global competitiveness indicators by developing the telecommunications infrastructure. This would raise the sector’s readiness to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving telecommunications technology to ensure smooth and fast adoption of modern technology in the country, especially as we are on the threshold of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which requires preparedness to keep up with future technology such as autonomous vehicles, robots, blockchain, 3D printing and more.”
Furthermore, the UAE also advanced from 25th to 2nd position globally in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII), a global competitive index issued by the United Nations in 2019, surpassing many developed countries in the sector, and reflecting the level of development of the ICT sector in the UAE. TRA is working to achieve the first position in this index in order to achieve the goals of the National Agenda to be the first in the world in TII by 2021.
The Global Competitiveness Index, first published in 1979, provides a comprehensive overview of the economic expectations for 141 economies. Based on these results, the report stimulates economic growth across the world, leading to improved living standards. The report explores the relation between competitiveness, prosperity and environmental sustainability. It seeks fair societies that provide opportunities for a decent life for all to achieve sustainable development. The report also reviews the options of emerging and promising economies to achieve the three objectives of growth, inclusiveness and sustainability.
