Gosaibi, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, said Monday the Kingdom's total investment in information and communication technologies (ICT) sector is expected to reach SR50 billion by 2015. Investment will hit around SR37 billion ($9.9 billion) in 2013, he added. He said investment in boosting and developing the sector had reached SR22.3 billion in 2009. Al-Gosaibi's remarks came during the first day of the GITEX Saudi Arabia 2011 at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. "The Kingdom's ICT sector (in products and services) has registered a growth rate of 18.5 percent between the period of 2001 and 2009. The size of the total investment both in public and private sector has SR22.3 billion by 2009," the minister said. Al-Gosaibi said the investment in the ICT market's services and applications is expected to reach SR37 billion by 2013, which will offer further impetus for growth and development. Al-Gosaibi said Gitex Saudi Arabia 2011 has international participations from leading IT companies will serve as a platform for Kingdom's ICT sector to promote local industry and help transfer of expertise. "Saudi Arabia is the region's largest ICT market, which is reflected from the participation of some of the leading international industry players," he said. A large number of officials from various government agencies and representatives of ICT companies, organizations and top business executives were present in the opening ceremony. Around 400 exhibitors from 16 countries are to showcasing the latest ICT technology, the developments taking in the industry and portraying emerging trends within the buoyant Saudi ICT sector. The four-day event is under the patronage of Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). GITEX Saudi Arabia 2011, the 10th International Information Technology Exhibition is the Kingdom's premier ICT event, which attracts some thousands of visitors every day. The countries that have set up national pavilions are Egypt, Taiwan, Pakistan, China, the UAE and Jordan. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Arainy, Ministry's consultant, said the MCIT regards GITEX Saudi Arabia as an important platform that will contribute to realizing the Kingdom's ICT goals. The General Secretariat of the National Plan for Communications and Information Technology (NPCIT) will conduct lectures aimed at creating a digital culture in the country on the sidelines of the event. It will also launch an e-training project on the occasion. The lectures from public sector officials will make presentation on e-trading program while highlighting Saudi e-gate and other e-trading concepts and trends. "GITEX Saudi Arabia has proved to be one of the leading specialized events in the region, and we are committed to support and participate in such shows to capitalize on our development plans," said Al-Arainy. Riyadh Municipality has recently underscored its future vision to develop an e-municipality concept that is equivalent to the e-government initiative, in addition to developing over 50 services through its e-gate (http://eservices.alriyasdh.gov.sa), including internal services for its employees. The e-services include instant issuance of building permits.
