ICT contributes 1.9% of Qatar’s GDP, says minister

HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed bin Ali al-Mannai speaking at ‘Qatar IT Roundtable’, Wednesday by the CRA. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil.

Qatar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP is 1.9%, according to HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed bin Ali al-Mannai. Speaking to the media yesterday on the sidelines of the ‘Qatar IT Roundtable’, organised by the Communications and Regulatory Authority (CRA), al-Mannai underscored the importance of ICT role in other sectors of the country, as well as in Qatar’s economic diversification. Al-Mannai noted that the ministry is working on developing an integrated plan with new goals to develop the field of ICT, which would be ready in the first quarter of 2023. Speaking on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the minister said Qatar’s ICT infrastructure “is almost ready” and that “work is currently underway on some recent services with the organisers.” The CRA earlier stated that the roundtable was organised in line with its keenness to engage directly with stakeholders and key players in the IT sector to exchange views and experiences about the local industry development. The event was held in the context of the IT sector as a crucial enabler of economic growth and diversification, social prosperity, and environmental sustainability, considering the global rapid technological development and Qatar’s ambition to become a digital hub for the region, the CRA added. In his speech at the event, al-Mannai said, “We are also undertaking various government initiatives to support the information technology sector to enable it to reach its full potential in the future, making Qatar a regional digital centre. These initiatives include providing new job opportunities for the local industry, stimulating local and foreign investment, and developing the necessary digital skills by providing education and training. “We are also rapidly progressing in developing a comprehensive national roadmap for the adoption of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine technology, and blockchain technology. We are developing all relevant regulatory tools to create a solid foundation for the IT sector and an innovative digital economy.” Al-Mannai said the government has listed the IT sector as a top priority in its national agenda, stressing the importance of communicating with stakeholders and other major players in the information technology ecosystem. He said, “From this standpoint, the importance of our meeting today lies in getting acquainted with the various opinions on the current situation of the sector, and the high-level requirements necessary for the development of the information technology sector in the State of Qatar, especially in light of the rapid and continuous technological development globally. “Your valuable opinions and experiences will contribute to supporting the process of developing plans and visions for the future of the information technology sector, and developing effective organisational tools to organise it, which in turn will contribute to creating a solid foundation for the sector.”