investment in ict: a critical enabler july 22, 2004 idal
TRANSCRIPT
Investment in ICT: A Critical Enabler
July 22, 2004
IDAL
ICT Sector at a Glance
IDAL
Key Indicators
Sector Turnover US$360 - US$400 million
Growth Rate 12.5% p.a
ICT Companies 600
Total Employment 6,500-6,750
ICT Graduates p.a 1,200
Source: SRI International 2004
“Lebanon is blessed by a pool
of human resources that can build and
grow the information technology sector into
vibrant player in socio-economic development of the country…”
Neil HollowayCorporate VP Microsoft
IDAL
Well-funded Research & Development
Well-educated & skilled workers
Consumer-oriented society
Well-developed physical & telecommunication infrastructure
Competitive business environment
Investing in ICT: Key Drivers
“Lebanon has the human
capital and the educational strength to become a
prominent IT player…”
Gilbert LacroixPresident Intel
IDAL
Well-educated & skilled workers
Investing in ICT: Key Drivers
91% education rate Multilingual and multi-skilled Highly productive and highly adaptable 1,200 ICT graduates per year
Consumer-oriented society
Market of over 300 million consumers – launch pad to MENA countries
Rapid adopter of ICT Advanced customer base - willing to embrace
new technologies
"Lebanon offers numerous
advantages to a company like
Oracle: a strategic
location, creative talent and renowned
business and services
infrastructure…”
Kassem Fares
Director
Oracle
IDAL
“Lebanon is well positioned in the
Arab World to take leading role
in software development…”
Bashar KilaniManagerIBM
Investing in ICT: Key Drivers
Well developed physical & telecommunication infrastructure
Improved physical infrastructure Improved telecommunication infrastructure Better country telecommunication ranking Declining telecommunication tariffs Planned privatization of telecommunication
services The Beirut Emerging Technology Zone –
BETZ
IDAL
Investing in ICT: Key Drivers Competitive business environment
Well-funded Research & Development
Updated regulatory environment Attractive fiscal incentives by virtue of the
Investment Development Law 360 Facilitation services through IDAL’s One Stop
Shop The Beirut Emerging Technology Zone –
BETZ
Independent R&D initiatives Enhanced opportunities for collaboration with
universities and/or other institutions of higher education through BETZ
“I definitely believe we’ve got an edge in Beirut, we have an advantage in being able to sell to French speaking territories in Africa and Europe…”
Bashar KilaniManagerIBM
Thank You
Samih BarbirChairman – Managing Director
Tel: + 961 (1) 983306/7/8 Fax: + 961 (1) 983302/3
Web: www.idal.org E-mail: [email protected]
IDAL