Page 72 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

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REGIONAL NEWS

The UAE ICT Sector Achieves Significant Progress: According to the Global
Competitiveness Index 2019

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

72 OCTOBER 2019