Bahrain ICT Sector an Enabler of Vision 2030
31 January 2010, Manama: The MENA ICT Week which was recently held in Bahrain on January 26-28 reflects the Kingdom’s information, communications and technology credentials and the growing potential for foreign investment in the sector, according to Kamal Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB).
Kamal Ahmed’s comments come at the close of the international conference, one of the leading ICT events in the region. The theme, “Driving Economies for a Better Future”, was consistent with Bahrain’s long recognition of ICT not just as an important sector in its own right but as an enabler of continued economic growth, modernisation and competitiveness, he said.
“In Bahrain, we have long recognised the importance of ICT in further enhancing our business environment for international companies looking to access the trillion dollar Gulf market. It is a crucial element in achieving the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the National Economic Strategy; to enable continued private sector growth, support further diversification of the economy and – ultimately – elevate national living standards by creating greater opportunities for Bahrainis.”
Earlier this year, Bahrain was ranked first in the Gulf and wider Middle East and 13th of 192 countries worldwide in the 2010 United Nations Global e-Government Readiness Survey. The UN noted that the assessment of the application of ICT to provide access and inclusion for citizens was a function of not only a country’s state of readiness but also its technological and telecommunication infrastructure, together with its level of human development. In March 2009, the Kingdom jumped eight places to 37th of 134 economies in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Information Technology Report.
Leading international ICT businesses that have already set-up regional offices in Bahrain include Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, WIPRO, Mahindra Satyam, Software AG, Netgear, and Tata Consultancy Services.
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Notes to editors
About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.
The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.
The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.
More information on the Bahrain EDB is available at: www.bahrainedb.com
Further information
Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 930
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com
Alisdair Haythornthwaite, Bell Pottinger
Tel: + 971 566 901 725
Email: ahaythornthwaite@bell-pottinger.co.uk