197 million Arab Internet users in 2017
UAE is first
on Arab Knowledge Economy Index
The UAE topped the Knowledge Econ-
omy Index among Arab countries and
stood at 42 globally with a score of 6.94,
according to the Arab Knowledge Econo-
my Report 2014.
The number of Internet users in the Arab
world is expected to reach 197 million by
2017, the report said.
The report, a joint study done by Madar
Research & Development and Orient
Planet, is aimed at researching and ex-
amining the components and character-
istics of the Arab Knowledge Economy
and its contribution to the overall devel-
opment of the region’s economy.
According to the report, the number of In-
ternet users in the Arab world is expected
to reach 197 million by 2017, a penetra-
tion of over 51 per cent from 32 per cent
in 2012.
The report throws the light on the
strengths and weaknesses of the re-
gion’s economy along with the opportuni-
ties and risks associated with it.
The report sheds light on the strengths
and weaknesses of the region’s econo-
my, alongside the opportunities and risks
associated with it.
The report states that Arab countries are
heading towards knowledge economy by
improving their education sector, adopt-
ing the modern technologies, investing
in the information and communications
technology infrastructure, building firm
research and development programs and
improving the business environment.
The report showed that Dubai is the first
city in the Middle East to establish knowl-
edge clusters including Dubai Internet
City, Dubai Media City and Knowledge
Village.
The UAE’s transformation to a knowl-
edge-based economy is currently a key
priority for the country with several in-
novations seen across prime economic
sectors such as oil & gas, construction,
healthcare and hospitality.
The report pointed out that the GCC
countries comprise the 12th largest eco-
nomic region in the world with a recorded
gross domestic product growth rate of
4.03 per cent in 2013.
The report noted that there were 111.7
million Internet users in 18 Arab countries
in 2012, growing at a rate of 18.98 per
cent as compared to 93.8 in 2011. The
number of Internet users in the region is
expected to increase to about 197 million
by 2017, the report said, adding that In-
ternet penetration in the Arab world is ex-
pected to surge from 32 per cent in 2012
to 51 per cent in 2017, i.e. an increase of
3 per cent above the world average.
17
June
2014
