ICT
From The Report: Kuwait 2022
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Technology development is central to Kuwait’s long-term plans to diversify the economy, with the government attempting to position the country as a regional leader in ICT and financial services. The competition in those spaces across the GCC is fierce, and countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are making concerted investment in ICT infrastructure and financial technology. The highly competitive local telecommunications market is proving beneficial to Kuwait’s plans, as is the country’s active and engaged consumer market, particularly in the mobile sector. Consolidation has been a trend in recent years as major tech players move to strengthen their market positions and diversify their services.

This chapter contains an interview Maziad Alharbi, CEO, stc Kuwait.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Greater connectivity: Local and foreign investment in technology has resulted in improvements in the public and private sectors
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Technology development is central to Kuwait’s longterm plans to diversify the economy, with the government attempting to position the country as a regional leader in ICT and financial services. The competition in those spaces across the GCC is fierce, as countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are making concerted investment in ICT infrastructure and financial technology (fintech). The highly competitive local telecommunications market is proving beneficial to Kuwait’s plans, as is the country’s…

Interview

Digital developments: Maziad Alharbi, CEO, stc Kuwait, on how telecommunications is fuelling economic growth and enabling change
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Interview:Maziad Alharbi As Kuwait continues to diversify its economy, what role might the local ICT sector play in accelerating the country’s post-pandemic recovery? MAZIAD ALHARBI: Kuwait has been developing its ICT sector for the past decade. However, the Covid-19 pandemic hastened the rate by which the country adapted to challenging new scenarios. For example, the education sector had to implement and transition to remote learning and evaluation mechanisms. In this context, we had to…

Analysis

Accelerating change: Technological advancements enhance competition and innovation, drive down prices and offer a wider range of services
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Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, mobile networks have provided the reliable connectivity needed to sustain economic and social activities. As MENA countries gradually brought the pandemic under control, their governments have sought to drive economic recovery and foster sustainable development. Digital services and technologies have been instrumental in achieving this goal, spurring economic growth, empowering the workforce and leveraging ICT-related efficiencies to boost productivity. Technological…

Analysis

Secure storage: Demand for cloud solutions is transforming business processes and benefitting both public and private organisations
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Advanced technologies are being adopted across the business landscape, bringing innovation and disruption and driving growth. Cloud services have helped businesses transform their processes across a broad range of sectors in recent years. As such, cloud solutions have emerged to form a dynamic and growing industry. Cloud services have become central to corporate digital transformation processes in Kuwait, as the cloud transition offers many benefits that serve the public and private sectors as well…

Analysis

Leading the way: The widespread rollout of 5G in the GCC is unlocking productivity gains, helping Kuwait meet its long-term economic goals
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With connectivity widely recognised as a key driver of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, the GCC countries are poised to expand their 5G networks and in turn increase the value of the region’s ICT industry. 5G in the GCC Kuwait’s 5G strategy is part of the wider digital ambitions laid out in New Kuwait 2035 of accelerating digital development to attract foreign investment, laying the foundations of a sustainable economy and stimulating domestic growth. Kuwait launched its commercially available…

Analysis

Heightened concern: Governments work to counter a global rise in cyberthreats stemming from digitalisation and the shift to remote work
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused disruptions across the global economy, prompting an increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks. According to a poll of 800 chief audit executives conducted by the UK-based Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, 77% of respondents thought the war in Ukraine had elevated cybersecurity and data-security risks. Senior cybersecurity analysts have said the invasion has been accompanied by a sustained cyber-conflict, with a large number…