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Market Alert 8/2011

Qatar unveils National ICT Plan 2015

ictQATAR has recently released a five-year ICT plan for Qatar aiming to create a

knowledge-based economy that will drive sustainable development and societal

benefits for all its nationals. ictQATAR is the government body that formulates ICT

policy and regulates the industry in Qatar.

This new plan will build on Qatar’s first ICT masterplan created in 2005 which has

increased investment in the ICT market to US$2.1 billion in 2010, gave Qatar a

mobile penetration rate of 167 per cent, and increased broadband usage from 41

per cent of households in 2008 to 70 per cent in 2010.

ictQATAR has put forward the following goals for Qatar’s ICT sector:

Double the ICT sector’s contribution to the national GDP to US$3 billion

Double the workforce to 40,000

Achieve ubiquitous high-speed broadband access for households and

businesses (95 per cent)

Achieve mass ICT and internet adoption by all segments of society (90 per

cent)

Achieve wide accessibility and effectiveness of all key government services

(160 online services)

The National ICT Plan wants to have Qatar benefiting from ICT solutions in key

aspects of its society and economy by 2015. The country will also be using

communications technology to become further integrated into the global

economy.

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To meet all these goals, ictQATAR has developed a comprehensive, strategic

framework organised into five strategic thrusts that are aligned with the

government’s broader national goals as outlined in Qatar’s National Vision 2030

released in 2008.

These five thrusts will include improving connectivity through an advanced,

secure infrastructure, boosting capacity by enhancing digital literary and

developing skills to enable innovation, fostering economic development by

creating an environment for an innovative and vibrant ICT industry, enhancing

public service delivery; and advancing societal benefits by leveraging on ICT.

Each thrust is broken down into specific programmes, giving the National ICT Plan

2015 a total of 11 programmes—ICT infrastructure, modernising the legal and

regulatory framework, cyber safety and security, digital inclusion, ICT human

capital, innovation and entrepreneurship, digital content, second generation i-

government, e-education, e-health and internet & society.

Qatar also recently announced that by 2012, it will invest US$550 million to install

the nationwide high-speed Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) broadband network that

will reach at least 95 percent of households and businesses over the next five

years. The tender for the project is expected to come out by end of 2011.

Qatar has already laid a strong foundation for future progress. The country’s

mobile penetration stands at 167%, one of the highest in the world. Globally, the

average is 76%, and among developed countries it is 116%. In 2010, 89% of

households had a computer and 85% of individuals had one. Broadband usage has

jumped from 41% of households in 2008 to 70% in 2010.

Qatar ranks in the top quartile of all countries surveyed in the latest World

Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index. The ICT market in Qatar keeps

growing and is projected to expand at a double digit compound annual growth

rate.

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In order to build a strong world-class ICT infrastructure, ictQATAR has entered

into a joint venture with Europe-based Eutelsat Communications to build and

operate a high-powered communications satellite set to be launched in 2013.

Malaysian ICT companies are urged to explore Qatar’s booming ICT sector

particularly in providing training services, solutions, e-government, infrastructure

solutions, e-learning, telecom solutions etc where Malaysian companies have

proven capability. Malaysian companies are also capable to provide e contents

and Wi Max facilities to serve certain areas of the town in Qatar.

It is advisable if Malaysian companies could make a presentation on their

capabilities to the authorities in Qatar. As most of the requirement for

government tender requires foreign companies to have a legal representative

through a local agent or locally establish company. It is a necessary for Malaysian

companies to explore on the possibility to set up a branch office or locally

incorporated company for the purpose to expand business in Qatar.

Prepared by: MATRADE Dubai 14 July 2011