Communications and Information Technology Commission Forum Discusses the State of the Internet in the Kingdom

The Communications and Information Technology Commission organized today, Sunday, 3 Rajab 1432H corresponding to May 5, 2011, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, the Information Technology Forum, held for the second consecutive year under the title "Towards a More Integrated and Mature Internet Ecosystem in the Kingdom," with the aim of diagnosing the state of the internet in the Kingdom and reviewing the most important practices and policies in this field, in addition to shedding light on the most important opportunities and challenges surrounding this field.

His Excellency the Governor of the Commission, Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Darrab, opened the forum's activities with a speech in which he shed light on the telecommunications and information technology sector, and its role in developing and prospering the national economy, addressing in particular the importance of the internet in the development of societies in the modern era. Eng. Al-Darrab reviewed, in this context, the prosperity the Kingdom is witnessing in the field of the internet, especially what has been achieved as a result of the progress made possible by broadband and various applications in the field of the internet. In his speech, he also referred to a number of figures and indicators related to the internet in the Kingdom, including the size of spending on the information technology sector, the number of internet users, in addition to the number of broadband subscriptions and their average annual cumulative growth until the end of the first quarter of the current year 2011. Eng. Al-Darrab also addressed the recommendations of this year's information technology report, affirming in this context the Commission's determination, in cooperation with all concerned parties, to translate the report's findings and recommendations into actual accomplishments.

Regarding the current state of the internet ecosystem in the Kingdom, the Vice Governor for Information Technology Affairs, Dr. Suleiman bin Abdulaziz Mardad, addressed this reality, reviewing a number of relevant aspects such as the use of internet content and e-commerce between individuals and companies. Dr. Mardad also shed light on the best practices and policies within the internet ecosystem framework, reviewing the most important opportunities and challenges surrounding this field.

The forum, which hosted prominent figures alongside academics and workers in the field of information technology, addressed a number of topics related to the state of information technology in the Kingdom, such as the crucial role played by the internet in disseminating information among citizens in the Kingdom, and evaluating its ability to enhance productivity and provide services by government institutions and private sector institutions alike. In this context, the international research firm IDC gave a speech addressing the most prominent current developments in this field, and reviewed the potential future trends of the internet economy from a global perspective, and the best global practices and policies that have proven successful in building integrated internet ecosystems.

Regarding the rapid growth in the number of broadband subscribers in the Kingdom, and the role of the increasing availability of internet sources in that, and the transformation of the digital system into an integral part of Saudi society, in addition to the growing supply and demand for internet content, and the uses of e-commerce, and the challenges it faces that require the relevant public and private sector authorities to deal with positively, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Bantan, President of Saudi Post, chaired the first session titled "Internet Ecosystem Foundations in the Kingdom." The session addressed this theme by reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the entities concerned with the internet ecosystem in the Kingdom, with its many dimensions, such as telecommunications and information technology infrastructure, the legal framework, payment and distribution systems, and information technology security and skills.

The second session, chaired by the Vice Governor of the Commission for Information Technology Affairs, Dr. Suleiman bin Abdulaziz Mardad, addressed the economic model within the internet ecosystem, and the advantages it provides to the Kingdom by stimulating innovation and investment in high-tech fields, and providing jobs in the field of information technology, in a way that ensures the production of important business models linked to the Saudi economy. The session also addressed successful business models of the internet economy, and the key success factors that lead to sustainable businesses based on this economy, through the necessary skills, reviewing profitable returns and investment partnerships.

The papers presented concluded by setting out the main points regarding what was discussed and deliberated at the forum "Towards a More Integrated and Mature Internet Ecosystem in the Kingdom," and affirming the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in forming new activities and business models to enhance the use of internet content, and facilitating consumer access to the internet as a channel for commerce, and enhancing their confidence in dealing with it. The public sector must also play its role in leading the internet economy by disseminating best practices in the field of e-procurement, and by adhering to directives on involving small and medium-sized service providers in major projects. It is also necessary to diversify electronic payment options and make them more effective, to provide assistance to startups in the field of internet content. Entrepreneurs in general must also be supported by establishing systems that support capital investments in projects, and expanding the growing network of business incubators in the Kingdom.